River Rats Take Down Wolf Pack in Shootout

December 13, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


Hartford, CT, December 13, 2009 - The Hartford Wolf Pack were defeated in a shootout, 2-1, by the Albany River Rats Sunday night in front of 3,073 at the XL Center.

Albany's Jamie McBain scored the shootout winner on Wolf Pack goaltender Chad Johnson in the third round of the tie breaker to give the River Rats their seventh straight win.

The River Rat victory snapped a Wolf Pack franchise-record streak of 13 straight wins in the all-time series against Albany.

Albany had jumped out to a 1-0 lead late in the first period, as Chris Terry scored on a rebound shot that found its way past Johnson (29 saves) at 16:54.

The River Rats ended the first frame outshooting the Wolf Pack 19-6, but Johnson made quality saves on both Jerome Samson and McBain to keep the Hartford deficit at one.

The Wolf Pack then tied the score at 12:24 of the second period, as Derek Couture scored off of defenseman Matt Gilroy's third assist in three games.

Gilroy took a pass from Dane Byers, and then fed the puck across the crease to Couture, who beat River Rats goaltender Justin Peters (30 saves).

The second period proved to be a more even affair, with the Wolf Pack outshooting Albany 6-5. Both teams had quality scoring chances, as Peters made a save on a backhanded try by Corey Locke, and Johnson made two stops on attempts from the River Rats' Brad Herauf at 12:10.

After entering the third period tied, the Wolf Pack nearly took the lead at 5:48 as Byers passed across the slot to a streaking Dupont, who shot into what seemed to be an empty net. However, Peters made a tremendous diving save to end the Hartford scoring threat.

The Wolf Pack again appeared to have taken the lead at 12:34, as Corey Potter sent a shot from the blue line past Peters. It was waved off, however, as Dale Weise was assessed a penalty for goaltender interference.

The third period remained scoreless, as Hartford headed to the overtime period tied 1-1 for the second time in as many nights.

Despite outshooting the River Rats 7-2 in overtime, the Wolf Pack could not solve Peters, who made another outstanding save after attempts by Dupont and Weise, pulling the puck back from the goal line.

"It's just the way the breaks go, I guess," said Dupont. "We have got to work our way out of it."

Hartford and Albany then went to a shootout, where the Wolf Pack were defeated for the third time in three attempts. Jacob Micflikier joined McBain to account for the River Rats' two shootout goals. Locke was the lone Hartford scorer in the shootout.

"We got a point tonight, but we've got to finish strong before the Christmas break," said Dupont.

The shootout loss moved the Wolf Pack (14-12-1-3, 32 points) into a fifth place tie in the Atlantic Division with the Worcester Sharks, one point ahead of the seventh place Providence Bruins.

The Wolf Pack will resume their current homestand Friday, December 18 as they host the Toronto Marlies at XL Center (7:00), before facing the Hamilton Bulldogs Saturday, December 19 (7:00).



American Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2009


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