TWO MINUTES FOR THOUGHTS: NOVEMBER 10TH, 2022
Nov 10, 2022Who doesn’t love a little home cooking? We know the Wolf Pack loves it, as the club has won three of their first four home games this season and has points in all four contests. In fact, if you go back to last season, the club has won four of their last five home games and has points in all five outings.
Last night was a gutsy win for the Wolf Pack. The weekend, with two divisional road games, did not go according to plan. They gave up a goal just 2:09 into the game last night. It would have been awfully easy to pack up and accept another long night, but the Wolf Pack did the exact opposite. They fought their way back, controlled the last 50 minutes of regulation time, and found a way to beat a very good Thunderbirds team by a 2-1 score. Mark that moment if this season starts to take off.
Now, onto the blog!
Midweek Delight
As I mentioned, the Pack trailed just 2:09 into the hockey game last night against a Springfield team that beat them 5-1 just a few nights prior. Hartford had a record of 0-4-1-1 when surrendering the first goal, so there was the possibility that a “here we go again” mentality could set in. It was far from that. What an impressive showing from the group to essentially shut Springfield down the rest of the night, get the game to a shootout, and take care of business there.
The win demonstrated great leadership and a ‘Never say die’ mentality that is starting to develop with this group. Down 4-0 on Friday night Springfield? The Wolf Pack never quit and played a solid final two periods on the road. Down 4-1 late in Bridgeport Saturday night? The Pack scored twice in 33 seconds and came close to pulling off a nearly impossible comeback.
It is important to remember that no team will ever go undefeated in this sport. It is how you handle losses and tough situations that show what kind of team you truly are. While the Wolf Pack have been developing chemistry with a largely new roster, the club is already displaying the kind of effort and work ethic that will do them well over the course of a season. Staying in the fight every night, as they have done through the first nine games, is a great place to start.
It's the kind of base that a team can build on as they continue to gain confidence, chemistry with each other, and comfort within the system.
A Look Ahead
On the road again we go! With the first Wednesday night game of the season in the books, the Wolf Pack now turn their attention to the season’s first three games in four nights stretch. After the bus trip to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton today, the club will visit the Penguins tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.
It’s a quick business trip, as the Pack will head right back to Hartford following the game for a Saturday night matchup with the Charlotte Checkers. Puck drop for that game is set for 7:30 p.m.
Both of these games feature playoff teams from a year ago that are off to great starts. Prior to losing their last two games, the Penguins started the season with points in seven straight games. Six of those seven games with points were victories. Even though the Pens will be without forward Filip Hållander, on recall to NHL Pittsburgh, they are still going to be a tough out on the road.
The Checkers, meanwhile, are still searching for their first victory on the road this season. Charlotte is 5-2-1-1 on the season but is 0-1-1-1 away from North Carolina. That includes a 3-2 overtime loss to the Wolf Pack at the XL Center on October 29th. Despite Charlotte dominating the series on paper, seven of the last nine meetings between the foes have been one-goal affairs. Prior to October 29th, the Checkers had won five of the six one-goal games. That tide was bound to turn at some point.
Beyond that, the Pack host the Checkers again next Wednesday night (7:00 p.m.) before heading to Hershey for a pair of games on November 19th and 20th.
This N’ That
Saturday night will be an emotional night with significant importance at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack organization is honored to once again host ‘Hockey Fights Cancer’ at the XL Center, with the night being dedicated to those who are fighting and have fought cancer. Stay tuned for more details on this night. Tickets for this game are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.
Can’t be at the game, but still want to help us raise money for the American Cancer Society? You can buy raffle tickets for this weekend’s jersey raffle! We are raffling off a signed Lauri Pajuniemi red jersey and a ‘Hockey Fights Cancer’ banner signed by the entire 2022-23 Wolf Pack roster. Be sure to buy your tickets here.
When the Wolf Pack head to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza tomorrow night, they will be looking for a pair of firsts. The club is still in search of its first victory on the road this season, having dropped its first five games away from home (0-4-1-0). They will also be looking for their first win against the Penguins in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton since March 8th, 2019. The Pack has lost four straight visits to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
# # #
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.