Wolf Pack Comeback Falls Short in Bridgeport
Apr 9, 2017(Photo by Jon Tenca/Puck Stopper Photography)
Matt Carey and Dan Catenacci scored in the third period for the Wolf Pack Sunday at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, but the Wolf Pack could not fully recover from giving up three goals in the second, in a 3-2 loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Bridgeport’s entire offense came in a span of 2:01 in the second frame, on goals by Travis St. Denis, Ben Holmstrom and Ryan Pulock. Eamon McAdam made 19 saves to get the win in the Bridgeport net. Brandon Halverson stopped 33 shots for the Wolf Pack.
“It seems to be a trend right now, where we get down early in the game, or midway through the game, and then we turn it up in the third period in desperation mode,” Catenacci said. “And that’s something we can’t be doing. We have to play that way from the start of the game.”
After a scoreless first period, the Sound Tigers started their scoring burst at 12:14 of the second, on St. Denis’ 11th goal of the season. Michael Dal Colle took a shot from the right-wing side that Halverson denied, but St. Denis headed hard down the left side and shoved the rebound in.
Only 30 seconds later, at 12:44, Holmstrom made it a 2-0 edge with another rebound goal. Ross Johnston’s blast from near the blue line was knocked down by Halverson, but Holmstrom was able to put the carom into the goal from Halverson’s left.
Then, at 14:15, with Bridgeport already on a power play and another penalty coming against the Wolf Pack, Pulock scored what would turn out to be the game-winner. Andrew Rowe fed a pass from the right side to Pulock in the opposite circle, and his one-timer got past Halverson for a 3-0 Bridgeport lead.
Halverson would steady the ship after that, though, and the Wolf Pack would get on the scoreboard only 1:17 into the third period. Shortly after a Hartford power-play ended, Vince Pedrie gunned a slap shot from the left point that Carey tipped past McAdam with the shaft of his stick.
Catenacci would bring the Wolf Pack to within one goal at 12:12 with his eighth goal of the season, and third in 16 games since joining the Wolf Pack. Vinni Lettieri picked up his first point in six games with Hartford, as his shot went wide left of the Bridgeport goal and Catenacci found the puck in tight and one-handed it past McAdam.
The Wolf Pack managed some good pressure after that, but could never get the equalizer, and they finished their eight-game season series against the Sound Tigers with a record of 2-4-1-1.
The Wolf Pack continue a stretch of four straight road games to end the season with a trip to Albany this Wednesday night, April 12, for a 7:00 PM game vs. the Devils. All of the action can be heard live on News Radio 1410 WPOP, and on-line at www.newsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.
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 2 at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3
Sunday, April 9, 2017 - Webster Bank Arena
Hartford 0 0 2 - 2
Bridgeport 0 3 0 - 3
1st Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Hughes Hfd (hooking), 2:13; Dal Colle Bri (interference), 9:17.
2nd Period-1, Bridgeport, St. Denis 11 (Dal Colle, Nowick), 12:14. 2, Bridgeport, B. Holmstrom 7 (Johnston, J. Holmstrom), 12:44. 3, Bridgeport, Pulock 14 (Rowe, Toews), 14:15 (PP). Penalties-Wotherspoon Bri (double minor - high-sticking), 6:03; Catenacci Hfd (hooking), 13:06; Hughes Hfd (slashing), 14:15; Lafranchise Bri (high-sticking), 19:08.
3rd Period-4, Hartford, Carey 21 (Pedrie, Graves), 1:17. 5, Hartford, Catenacci 8 (Lettieri, Jensen), 12:12. Penalties-Johnston Bri (slashing), 13:06.
Shots on Goal-Hartford 6-6-9-21. Bridgeport 8-17-11-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 5; Bridgeport 1 / 3.
Goalies-Hartford, Halverson 9-15-0 (36 shots-33 saves). Bridgeport, McAdam 15-6-0 (21 shots-19 saves).
A-5,000
Referees-Brett Iverson (56), Terry Koharski (10).
Linesmen-Nick Briganti (58), Brent Colby (7).