PRE-GAME REPORT: WOLF PACK OPEN THREE-IN-THREE WEEKEND WITH ROUND THREE OF ‘BATTLE OF CONNECTICUT’
Nov 5, 2021HARTFORD, CT – Hartford and Bridgeport are at it again. The ‘Battle of Connecticut’ is back on the ice tonight at the XL Center as the Wolf Pack and the Islanders meet for the third time this season. This kicks off the third three game in three days stretch for the Wolf Pack this season. The Pack is back tomorrow night as well against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before closing the weekend in Bridgeport on Sunday.
Tale of The Tape:
This is the third of ten meetings between the Wolf Pack and the Islanders during the 2021-22 AHL regular season. It is also the second of five meetings between the teams at the XL Center this season, and the second of three meetings over the course of a seven-day span. The sides met last Sunday afternoon in Bridgeport and will meet again this Sunday back in Bridgeport at 3:00 p.m.
The Wolf Pack scored a season-high five goals in a 5-1 victory over the Islanders last Sunday. Five different Wolf Pack players found the back of the net in the win. Defenseman Hunter Skinner scored the eventual winner 17:26 into the first period, while forward Cristiano DiGiacinto scored his first career AHL goal 4:53 into the second period to make it a 3-0 game.
Goaltender Keith Kinkaid made 41 saves in the victory, while forwards Tanner Fritz, Anthony Greco, and Tim Gettinger also tallied goals in the breakout offensive performance.
Wolf Pack Outlook:
The Pack are coming off the above mentioned 5-1 victory over the Islanders on Sunday. Hartford’s five goals was a season-high on the 2021-22 season, and the first time the club had scored five goals in a game since April 13th, 2021, also at Bridgeport.
The Wolf Pack completed their second three-in-three weekend with a 2-1-0-0 record and completed the month of October with a 5-2-1-0 record.
In addition to defeating the Islanders, the Wolf Pack scored a 3-2 shootout victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last Friday night. They also dropped a 3-2 decision to the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday. Forward P.C. Labrie scored his first goal with the Wolf Pack in Saturday night's loss.
Gettinger, who is two-for-two this season in the shootout, scored the winner on Friday against the Penguins in the fourth round. Morgan Barron and Greco also scored in the victory.
Forwards Jonny Brodzinski and Greco lead the team with eight points each (3 g, 5 a). Brodzinski, Greco and Barron are tied for the team-lead with three goals each, while Tarmo Reunanen leads the defense with four points on the season (0 g, 4 a).
Islanders Outlook:
The Islanders enter this game with a 3-3-0-2 record following last Sunday’s 5-1 defeat against the Wolf Pack. The Islanders had previously won three straight games, including a 6-4 decision over the Providence Bruins on Saturday night. The Islanders scored the game’s final four goals, with veteran forward Richard Panik scoring the eventual winner 3:25 into the third period, breaking a 4-4 tie.
Six different Islanders found the back of the net in the victory, while goaltender Jakub Skarek made 26 saves on 30 shots.
Forwards Arnaud Durandeau and Otto Koivula are tied for the team lead with six points (1 g, 5 a) each through eight games. Forwards Anatolii Golyshev and Chris Terry are tied for the team lead in goals with four each.
Bridgeport is also kicking off a three-in-three weekend. They’ll host the Springfield Thunderbirds on Saturday night prior to Sunday afternoon’s rematch with the Wolf Pack.
Game Information:
WATCH: AHLTV
LISTEN: Mixlr.com/hfd-wolf-pack
$2 beers and $1 hot dogs are back TONIGHT! Every Friday night at the XL Center is $2 beer and $1 hot dog night when the Wolf Pack take to the ice. In addition, join us tomorrow night when we honor our Health Care Heroes! To nominate a member of the health care community that you feel should be recognized, visit us here.
To secure your seats and join the fun for this milestone 25th anniversary season, visit 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 are the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and play 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.