PRE-GAME REPORT: WOLF PACK OPEN HOMESTAND AGAINST CHECKERS
Nov 15, 2024HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack open a season-long, six-game homestand tonight at the XL Center in downtown Hartford. The Pack welcome the Charlotte Checkers to town for a rematch of last spring’s First Round Calder Cup Playoff series.
The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on AHLTV on FloHockey and Mixlr.
Tale of The Tape:
This is the first of eight meetings between the Wolf Pack and Checkers this season. The sides will meet four times at the XL Center and four times at the Bojangles Coliseum this season.
The Checkers return to Hartford on Tuesday morning for an 11:00 a.m. puck drop at the XL Center. They will also return to the Connecticut capital on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, and Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
The Wolf Pack visit the Checkers on Jan. 18 and 19, 2025, and Feb. 15 and 16, 2025.
A season ago, the Checkers won the first seven regular season meetings between the clubs. The Wolf Pack won the last matchup, 5-2 on April 14.
The sides then met in the First Round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, where the Wolf Pack eliminated the Checkers 2-1. After dropping Game 1 3-1, the Wolf Pack won Game 2 3-2 in overtime, then took the series with a 3-1 decision on April 28.
At the XL Center, the Wolf Pack posted a record of 1-2-1-0, while the Checkers went 4-1-0-0.
Over the last five seasons, the Checkers are 17-3-2-0 in 22 games against the Wolf Pack. The Wolf Pack have posted a record of 5-11-4-2 during that span.
Wolf Pack Outlook:
The Wolf Pack were doubled up by a score of 4-2 on Sunday afternoon by the Providence Bruins at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Bo Groulx opened the scoring 9:57 into the game when his dump-in from center ice hit the back boards, bounced off goaltender Michael DiPietro, and found the back of the net. The goal was Groulx’s fifth of the season and his 100th career AHL point.
Max Jones tied the tilt 10:40 into the second period, stuffing home a rebound for his first goal with the club. Tyler Pitlick’s power play deflection at 15:45 would give the Bruins the lead for good. He got a piece of Ian Mitchell’s bid from the right-wing point.
Marc McLaughlin converted a breakaway attempt 2:12 into the third period, potting his second goal in as many nights. The goal, his second of the season, would prove to be the game-winning tally.
Adam Sýkora’s deflection of a Jaroslav Chmelař shot at 5:59 got the Wolf Pack within a goal, but Patrick Brown’s empty net tally at 18:34 would cement the two points for the Bruins.
Brett Berard leads the Wolf Pack with six goals, while Groulx’s ten points (5 g, 5 a) lead the way in that category.
Checkers Outlook:
The Checkers earned a weekend split with the Toronto Marlies on home ice thanks to a 5-4 overtime victory on Sunday afternoon.
Wilmer Skoog gave the Checkers a 4-2 lead 3:00 into the third period, striking on the power play for his second goal of the season. The Marlies battled back and forced overtime, however, thanks to Alex Steeves.
His eighth goal of the season at 4:05 of the third period drew the Marlies within one. He then tied the game with his ninth goal at 15:48, earning the visitors three of a possible four points on the weekend.
John Leonard sent the fans home happy 3:39 into overtime when he scored his fourth goal of the season to earn the extra point for the Checkers.
The Checkers went four-for-seven on the power play in the victory. Leonard’s overtime goal was the only even strength goal they scored on the afternoon.
Aidan McDonough leads the club in goals with nine, while veteran Kyle Criscuolo leads the way in points with 13 (5 g, 8 a).
Game Information:
WATCH: AHLTV on FloHockey
LISTEN: Mixlr
Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack Alex Thomas will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV on FloHockey and Mixlr.
The Pack is back tomorrow night when the Bruins come to town for the first time this season! On this night we will recognize the heroes among us and the sacrifices that they have made over their service tenure. Military personnel can receive discounts at the Box Office with their military IDs. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will also receive a Wolf Pack branded hat.
Postgame, ticketed fans will be able to join us on the ice to take pictures with their favorite Wolf Pack players. Player availability is subject to change. A waiver will be required for participants to go on the ice.
The puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m.
Tickets are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.
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ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers newest faces including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.