Wolf Pack 3-1 Winners in Bridgeport
Nov 29, 2014Ryan Bourque’s second-period power-play goal was the game-winner, and Cedrick Desjardins made 21 saves, Saturday night at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, as the Wolf Pack defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers by a score of 3-1.
Ryan Haggerty and Joey Crabb also scored for the Wolf Pack (11-8-2-0, 24 pts.), who won for the third time in their last four games, and Ryan Malone had two assists. Mike Halmo scored the only Bridgeport goal, and David Leggio made 28 saves.
“I think we played a full 60 minutes, and it was really important for us to be good in all three zones, especially on the road,” Bourque said. “It’s not a really fun place to play here (in Bridgeport). To be able to bring our best effort out like that, it’s really good moving forward.”
The first period saw the Wolf Pack outshoot the Sound Tigers 11-5, and both teams score late power-play goals.
Haggerty gave the Wolf Pack a short-lived 1-0 lead at 15:58, with Bridgeport’s Aaron Ness off for tripping. A pass by Oscar Lindberg from the right-wing corner deflected to Haggerty at the left side of the goalmouth, and Haggerty had plenty of time to bang the puck in before Leggio could react.
Just 29 seconds later, though, Hartford’s Dylan McIlrath was hit with a cross-checking penalty, and Bridgeport’s league-leading power play took advantage at 17:12. Alan Quine fed the puck to Halmo on the right side in the Wolf Pack zone, and Halmo stickhandled toward the net and put a forehand shot just inside the goalpost to Desjardins’ right.
The Wolf Pack again had a big shots advantage in the second, 13-5, and the Hartford power-play unit came up with its second goal of the game, and the eventual game-winner, at 17:10, with C.J. Stretch in the box for high-sticking.
Chris Bourque fed the puck from the right point to Ryan Malone along the goal line, and Malone immediately put it right on the stick of Ryan Bourque in the slot. Bourque let go a quick shot that beat Leggio on the stick side, for a 2-1 Wolf Pack lead.
Crabb gave the Wolf Pack some breathing room at 5:46 of the third period with his third goal of the season, and second in the last three games. Crabb intercepted a Quine pass, just outside the Sound Tiger blue line, and broke back down right wing before powering a high shot past Leggio.
After that, Desjardins and the Wolf Pack defense did the rest, giving the Wolf Pack their second straight win in the season series with Bridgeport, after the Sound Tigers had taken the first two.
The Wolf Pack are now off until this Friday night, December 5, when they visit the Syracuse Crunh for a 7:00 PM game. All of the action of that battle can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1410, and on-line at www.foxsportsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.
The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Saturday, December 6, with the Springfield Falcons visiting the XL Center for a 7:00 game. The first 5,000 fans into that game receive a free Wolf Pack car magnet.
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.
Hartford Wolf Pack 3 at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 1
Saturday, November 29, 2014 - Webster Bank Arena
Hartford 1 1 1 - 3
Bridgeport 1 0 0 - 1
1st Period-1, Hartford, Haggerty 4 (Malone, Lindberg), 15:58 (PP). 2, Bridgeport, Halmo 5 (Quine, Stretch), 17:12 (PP). Penalties-Czuczman Bri (hooking), 5:03; Ness Bri (tripping), 14:20; McIlrath Hfd (cross-checking), 16:27.
2nd Period-3, Hartford, R. Bourque 4 (Malone, C. Bourque), 17:10 (PP). Penalties-Gillies Bri (interference), 0:43; McIlrath Hfd (unsportsmanlike conduct), 3:28; Halmo Bri (high-sticking), 3:28; Stretch Bri (high-sticking), 15:36; Ness Bri (goaltender interference), 18:10.
3rd Period-4, Hartford, Crabb 3 5:46. Penalties-Quine Bri (delay of game - faceoff violation), 13:18; Kostka Hfd (hooking), 14:06; Jackson Hfd (holding), 16:51.
Shots on Goal-Hartford 11-13-7-31. Bridgeport 5-5-12-22.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 2 / 6; Bridgeport 1 / 3.
Goalies-Hartford, Desjardins 5-2-0 (22 shots-21 saves). Bridgeport, Leggio 3-4-0 (31 shots-28 saves).
A-4,918
Referees-Ryan Murphy (5).
Linesmen-Brent Colby (7), Luke Galvin (2).