
Jaroslav Chmelaø Collects First AHL Goal as Wolf Pack Cruise Past Checkers 5-2
April 14, 2024 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hartford Wolf Pack News Release
HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack hosted the Charlotte Checkers in their season series finale on Sunday afternoon at the XL Center. Jaroslav Chmelaø's first AHL goal capped off a dominant second period against the Checkers, as the Pack secured a confidence-boosting 5-2 victory.
Adam Edström's shorthanded heroics led to the eventual game-winner at the 16:28 mark of period two. Following a strong shift in the defensive zone, Edström poked the puck free and got a step on a Checker for a breakaway. Edström waited out goaltender Spencer Knight before elevating a backhander to make it 3-1 Wolf Pack at the time.
There was a playoff feel from the moment the puck dropped, with 14 shots and plenty of physicality to go around in the opening period.
The Wolf Pack had two chances on the powerplay, while the Checkers went to the advantage near the end of the frame.
Charlotte got an early jump on the Pack to open the middle stanza, as Casey Fitzgerald got a step on a Wolf Pack defender before cutting to the net and lifting a backhander above the glove of Louis Domingue to give Charlotte the 1-0 lead just 43 seconds in.
A penalty-ridden second period saw each side get their chances to find twine. On Hartford's second powerplay of the period, Adam Sýkora collected a pass from Karl Henriksson at the top of the left-wing circle and fired a shot through a screen that beat Knight to tie the game at 9:06.
The Wolf Pack took their first lead of the afternoon on their next powerplay, a five-minute major for cross-checking to Patrick Khodorenko.
Brett Berard fired a laser that caught the back bar and rocketed out for his 25th goal of the season. Berard's tally initially was called no goal, but a video review moments later showed a clear goal. The goal gave the Wolf Pack a lead they never lost.
Edström's 3-1 tally was the Wolf Pack's eighth shorthanded goal of the season and their second against the Checkers. It would prove to be the goal that snapped Charlotte's ten-game point streak at the XL Center.
The Pack continued to keep their foot on the gas in the third period, ballooning the lead to 5-1. Chmelaø forced a turnover and sprung himself in on a breakaway, beating Knight for his first career professional goal at 3:55.
Under three minutes later, a terrific effort from Berard gave Brennan Othmann a tap-in for his 19th goal of the season. Othmann fed Berard up top who fought off two defenders before giving it back to Othmann for the no-doubter at 6:36
The Checkers showed some fight at 13:13 as Rasmus Asplund made it 5-2 after firing a hard shot through traffic that beat Domingue. It would not, however, be enough on this day.
The Wolf Pack are back in action this Friday as they host another potential playoff opponent in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. on fan appreciation night.
Tickets are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.
American Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2024
- Nyman's First AHL Helps Firebirds Clip Gulls - Coachella Valley Firebirds
- Coachella Valley Edges Gulls, 2-1 - San Diego Gulls
- 4-1 Victory over Pens Give Bears Record-Breaking Win - Hershey Bears
- Penguins' Streak Snapped in 4-1 Loss to Bears - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Griffins Finish Three-Game Weekend with Defeat in Chicago - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Stauber Wins 13th Straight, Hogs Within One Point of Second Place - Rockford IceHogs
- Moose Announce 2023-24 Player Award Winners - Manitoba Moose
- Ads Drop Weekend Finale - Milwaukee Admirals
- Moose Finish Weekend with Loss to Iowa - Manitoba Moose
- Wolves Rout Griffins 7-2 - Chicago Wolves
- Jaroslav Chmelaø Collects First AHL Goal as Wolf Pack Cruise Past Checkers 5-2 - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Fogarty, Jones Power Iowa to 4-3 Win over Manitoba - Iowa Wild
- Gaudette Nets Two More, Keeps T-Birds' Playoff Hopes Alive - Springfield Thunderbirds
- P-Bruins Fall to Thunderbirds - Providence Bruins
- Checkers Stumble in Hartford - Charlotte Checkers
- Roos, Sanford, Seney Expected to Miss Time - Rockford IceHogs
- Toronto Marlies Sign Defenceman Chas Sharpe - Toronto Marlies
- Roadrunners Announce First Round Playoff, Whiteout Schedule - Tucson Roadrunners
- Wild's Kessy Suspended for Two Games - AHL
- Blues Sign F Dylan Peterson to Two-Year, Entry-Level Contract - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Preview: Hogs Gear up for Third Game of Weekend - Rockford IceHogs
- Wolf Pack Host Checkers in Potential Playoff Preview - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Game Preview: Iowa Wild at Manitoba Moose - Iowa Wild
- Rockford Recalls D.J. King from Indy - Rockford IceHogs
- Capitals Recall Dylan McIlrath from Hershey - Hershey Bears
- Game Preview: Bears vs. Penguins, 5 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Colorado Comes up Short in 2-1 Loss to Tucson - Colorado Eagles
- Reign Down Silver Knights, 5-4 - Ontario Reign
- Roadrunners Clinch Playoff Home Ice with 2-1 Win - Tucson Roadrunners
- Silver Knights Fall, 5-4, to Ontario Reign - Henderson Silver Knights
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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