Vaive, Danis Help Wolf Pack Top Bruins
Jan 21, 2015Justin Vaive’s goal with 3:59 remaining in the third period snapped a scoreless tie, and Yann Danis made 27 saves for his first Wolf Pack shutout, as the Wolf Pack defeated the Providence Bruins 1-0 Wednesday night at the XL Center.
Providence goaltender Malcolm Subban stopped 32 of the 33 shots he faced.
“Since I’ve gotten here we’ve been playing good hockey, we’ve been winning games and it just makes it easier and a lot more fun to come in everyday and practice and play,” said Danis.
Danis came up with some big saves early and often in this game, as he shut the door on several Providence odd-man rushes.
“He had a couple big saves early,” said Hartford coach Ken Gernander. “It could’ve been 1-0 Providence early because we didn’t come out of the gates real well. So he earned his shutout with not the quantity of saves, but the quality of stops he made. He made the big stops when he had to and it was a good game for him.”
Wolf Pack tied a season high in shots in the second period with 19.
“That’s one big thing I’ve noticed. We’re not passing up shots anymore,” said Vaive. “Earlier in the year sometimes we’ve tried to make the pretty play and that kind of ended up costing us chances, and sometimes all you need is that shot for a rebound or a screen or whatever. It doesn’t matter, just give it a chance to go in, and that’s what we’ve started to do and it’s paying off.”
Vaive was the man who put the Pack up 1-0 with 3:59 remaining in the third period. Subban misplayed the puck behind the net and Vaive made a diving effort to slide the puck past him before he was able to get settled.
“I knew I had to beat out the D man for the icing and it was just a fortunate bounce,” Vaive said. “I think their goalie didn’t really know what to do because one of their D fell, and he kind of misplayed it a little bit there. I was able to get a whack at it, it came back to me, and then another whack at it when he [Subban] was trying to slide back, and it banked off him and in.”
It was Vaive’s first game back in the lineup after missing 11 games with an injury, and the team was certainly happy to have their big forward back in the lineup.
“We have pretty good character guys throughout our lineup,” said Gernander. “I think when you’re all in it for one another, a teammate’s success is probably more pleasing to you than personal success.”
The Wolf Pack are back at the XL Center this Friday, January 23, with the Springfield Falcons in town for a 7:00 game. Friday nights feature $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, and this Friday is Work Zone Safety Night” at the XL Center. The Connecticut Department of Transportation will be promoting the “Obey the Orange” work-zone safety message throughout the game.
Tickets for all 2014-15 Wolf Pack home games are now on sale at the XL Center ticket office, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.
To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.
Providence Bruins 0 at Hartford Wolf Pack 1
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - XL Center
Providence 0 0 0 - 0
Hartford 0 0 1 - 1
1st Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Florek Pro (tripping), 6:38; Eminger Pro (delay of game), 12:43.
2nd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Casto Pro (holding), 7:12; Eminger Pro (delay of game), 8:04.
3rd Period-1, Hartford, Vaive 9 16:01. Penalties-Spinell Hfd (interference), 5:43; Kostka Hfd (holding), 9:23; McIlrath Hfd (tripping), 17:00.
Shots on Goal-Providence 7-6-14-27. Hartford 10-19-4-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Providence 0 / 3; Hartford 0 / 4.
Goalies-Providence, Subban 7-10-0 (33 shots-32 saves). Hartford, Danis 8-6-0 (27 shots-27 saves).
A-2,744
Referees-Mark Lemelin (41), Geno Binda (22).
Linesmen-Mike Baker (11), Luke Galvin (2).