TWO MINUTES FOR THOUGHTS: NOVEMBER 9TH, 2021
Nov 9, 2021Another three-in-three weekend has come and gone for the Hartford Wolf Pack. Once again, the Pack emerge from the difficult stretch with a 2-1-0-0 record. Considering that Hartford was dealt three sets of three-in-three weekends to start the season, their current 7-3-1-0 record is vastly impressive. Hartford heads to the middle of the month with the second most points (15) and the second-best points percentage (.682) in the Atlantic Division.
Considering the schedule for the rest of the month, this sets up to be an interesting stretch over the next three weeks. Buckle up, Hartford. There is going to be some highly competitive hockey coming your way.
In this week’s edition of “Two Minutes for Thoughts”, I look back at a 2-1-0-0 weekend for the Pack, look ahead to crucial two-game weekend, and much more!
Another Successful Three-In-Three
The laugh Anthony Greco gave last Thursday said it all when I asked him if the team was over three-in-three weekends. The Wolf Pack are certainly looking forward to having this coming Sunday off after playing three-in-three weekends on three of the first four weekends of this AHL season.
The good news is that the condensed schedule hasn’t negatively impacted the group. The Wolf Pack went 2-1-0-0 in all three stretches and notched two more home victories this past weekend.
The club exploded for a season-high seven goals in Friday night’s 7-4 victory against the Bridgeport Islanders, then tacked on four more in a 4-3 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday. Neither win was perfect, Hartford was far too sloppy for long stretches on both nights, but the Pack are finding different ways to solidify points. That’s important.
Forward P.C. Labrie told us on October 29th that the goals would come for this group. They felt they were getting chances, but things weren’t falling for them. Greco echoed those thoughts last Thursday and was quick to add that there wasn’t a lot of frustration even with the lack of goals. He felt that the club was doing the right things.
Since then? Hartford has scored 18 goals in their last four games, going 3-1-0-0 in that stretch. Not bad.
It was a strong weekend for the top-six forwards. The line of Jonny Brodzinski between Tim Gettinger and Anthnoy Greco is slowly becoming one of the most consistent and dangerous groups in the entire AHL. The trio of Morgan Barron, Ty Ronning and Lauri Pajuniemi broke out as well. Ronning scored twice on Friday and was a demon on the forecheck, while Pajuniemi scored two goals of his own and continues to look more comfortable.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Alex Whelan. He scored a beauty for his first goal of the season on Friday, then tacked on his first assist on Saturday night. He too is starting to look more comfortable and is making it difficult to take him out of the lineup. He really stood out to me in a largely positive weekend for the Pack.
The Road Ahead
I get it, it’s tough to get excited about individual games in the schedule when you look at the calendar and see November. That being said, Friday night isn’t just another early season showdown between Hartford and Springfield. No, the Wolf Pack and Thunderbirds have emerged as two of the best teams in the Atlantic Division.
These two teams will meet ten more times after Friday’s showdown, including twice more this month. It’s been a long time since Hartford and Springfield were both good and duking it out for a divisional crown. Enjoy this one folks, it promises to be a terrific hockey game and to be the kind of night that really ignites this rivalry.
Saturday night won’t be any less entertaining, either. The Pack will travel to Providence to face the Bruins at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center for the second time this season. Hartford secured a shootout victory over the Bruins in an entertaining game on October 17th, and Providence is finding their stride now. Both games will provide good tests for Hartford.
This N’ That
5-1-0-0. That’s the Wolf Pack’s record on home ice this season. The XL Center is a tough place for opponents to play this season, that’s just a fact. The Wolf Pack aren’t just winning on home ice either, they are playing an extremely fun brand of hockey. I feel like a broken record, but I’ll say it again: This is a very good hockey team that deserves your attention. Hartford, get on the Believer’s Bandwagon!
The Pack return home on Wednesday, November 17th for round five of the ‘Battle of Connecticut’ against the Bridgeport Islanders before hosting the Hershey Bears for ‘Hockey Fights Cancer Night’ on November 20th. You’ll want to join us for a special night on the 20th as we honor those who have fought and continue to fight this horrible disease.
A quick note, but congratulations to defenseman Matthew Robertson! Roberston collected an assist on Saturday night for his first career professional point in the victory over the Penguins. A star in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings, Robertson has looked good in a top-four role to start his career. The future is bright for the Edmonton product.
Lastly, have a question you want answered? Shoot me a Tweet over at @Alex_Thomas14 and I’ll do my best to include some in next week’s edition!
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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.