WOLF PACK WIN THIRD IN A ROW WITH 4-3 DECISION OVER THE PENGUINS
Nov 6, 2021HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack kept the good times rolling at the XL Center on Saturday night, winning their fifth game in six tries on home ice this season with a 4-3 decision over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. It was Hartford’s third victory in a row, their first such streak of the season.
Tanner Fritz fired a shot from the slot that Louis Domingue denied, but the puck took an awkward bounce and came to Lauri Pajuniemi. Pajuniemi walked into the high-slot and let a long shot go that clipped the stick of defenseman Chris Ortiz. The redirection fooled Domingue, putting the Wolf Pack up 4-0 at the time.
Hartford struck for the first time for the third game in a row. Alex Whelan forced a turnover in the offensive zone and tipped the puck to Fritz, who snapped his third goal of the season by Domingue at 6:52 to break the ice. The goal was Fritz’s third of the season, and his third in as many games.
64 seconds later, Anthony Bitetto announced his presence back in the lineup with his second goal of the season. The veteran defenseman let a long wrist shot go from the near point, clipping a defenseman on the way in. The redirect caught Domingue, pushing the Wolf Pack lead to 2-0.
Hartford’s penalty kill unit rebounded quite nicely after failing to kill both penalties on Friday night. Jonny Brodzinski fed defenseman Braden Schneider in the slot, who quickly dropped the puck off to Tim Gettinger in the near faceoff circle. Gettinger stepped into a one-timer, beating Domingue for his first shorthanded goal of the season and team-leading fifth goal overall.
It was the team’s second shorthanded goal of the young campaign.
Pajuniemi’s goal made it 4-0 just 2:10 into the third period, bloating the lead to 4-0. At that moment, it appeared Hartford was destined for two points. The Penguins wouldn’t go quietly, however.
Jonathan Gruden fed Felix Robert at the side of the net off a rush, where Robert deposited his fourth of the season to cut it to 4-1. 23 seconds later, Jordy Bellerive intercepted a pass and rifled home his first goal of the season to cut the deficit from 4-0 to 4-2.
Hartford’s penalty kill would salt away two more skater advantage chances for the Penguins, but Wilkes-Barre/Scranton finally cut the Wolf Pack lead to one at 19:17 of the final period. Sam Poulin scored his second goal of the season against Hartford with an extra attacker, curling out from behind the net and snapping a shot over the arm of Wall.
The Penguins’ effort was valiant, but proved to be too little, too late. Hartford was able to kill off the final 43 seconds of the game, winning their seventh contest of the young season.
The Wolf Pack return to action tomorrow when they conclude their three-in-three weekend with a visit to the Bridgeport Islanders. Puck drop is set for 3:00 pm.
The Pack is back at the XL Center on Wednesday, November 17th, when they host the Islanders. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm. For tickets, please visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com
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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.