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AHL Hartford Wolf Pack

Wolf Pack Close out 2023 with Visit from Islanders

December 30, 2023 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hartford Wolf Pack News Release


HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack return to the XL Center tonight for their final game of the 2023 calendar year. The 'Battle of Connecticut' takes centerstage as the Wolf Pack welcomes the Bridgeport Islanders to town.

The puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m. and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr.

Tale of The Tape:

This is the third meeting of the season between the Wolf Pack and the Islanders. In total, the sides will face off ten times this season. Tonight is the second of five games at the XL Center between the foes.

The Wolf Pack took the first meeting in the season series by a final score of 3-0 on November 10th at the Total Mortgage Arena, but the Islanders struck back with a 5-4 victory at the XL Center on December 22nd.

The Isles jumped out to a 4-0 lead just 21:18 into the contest. William Dufour scored both on the powerplay and at four-on-four in the first period, while Ruslan Iskhakov added a powerplay tally in the opening stanza. Otto Koivula then tipped home a five-on-five bid from Robin Salo early in the middle frame.

Brandon Scanlin and Matthew Robertson both scored in the second period to get Hartford within two, then Alex Belzile scored just six seconds into the third period to make it a 4-3 game. The goal by Belzile was the fastest to start a period in franchise history. Robertson's goal, his first of the season, and Belzile's goal were both scored on the powerplay.

Despite Hartford's late push, Cole Bardreau put the game away at 12:42 when he buried a rebound for his third goal of the season. Belzile netted his second goal of the night at 16:39 of the third period, but it would not be enough.

The rivals meet again on Thursday, January 4th, in Bridgeport. The next game at the XL Center is on February 9th, 2024. That game will be the 2,000th game in Wolf Pack history.

Wolf Pack Outlook:

The Wolf Pack dropped their fifth consecutive game on Wednesday night, falling 3-1 to the Springfield Thunderbirds at the MassMutual Center. Turner Elson opened the scoring for the Wolf Pack 12:42 into the game, ripping his third goal of the season top-shelf after a pass from Bobby Trivigno.

Jakub Vrana evened the tilt 2:25 into the second period, tipping home a shot from Joseph Duszak for his third goal in just five games with the team. 5:58 into the third period, Mikhail Abramov fired home his fifth goal of the season to put the T-Birds ahead for good.

Despite a late push from the Wolf Pack, Matthew Peca ended the intrigue with an empty-net tally at 19:36.

Belzile and Jonny Brodzinski, on recall with the parent New York Rangers (NHL), lead the Wolf Pack in goals with eleven each. Belzile leads the team in points with 26 (11 g, 15 a), while Mac Hollowell leads the team in assists with 21.

On Thursday, the Rangers recalled forward Adam Edström.

Islanders Outlook:

The Islanders won a wild 6-5 affair over the Thunderbirds on Friday night in Springfield. Will Bitten and Grant Hutton exchanged goals in the opening frame before the Isles exploded for four goals in the middle stanza.

Dufour struck twice in the period, while both Dennis Cholowski and Bardreau tacked on goals. For the second time in as many games against the T-Birds, a three-goal lead would not be enough to secure a regulation victory. The T-Birds struck three times in the first 9:37 of the final frame, storming back from down 5-2 to force overtime.

Nathan Walker's goal at 9:37 tied the tilt, his 13th of the year.

In the end, the Isles found a way as Iskhakov prevented a second straight devastating loss at the MassMutual Center, striking 1:38 into the extra session to give the Islanders the extra point.

Iskhakov leads the club in both goals with nine and points with 23 (9 g, 14 a). He and Cholowski are tied for the team lead in assists with 14 each.

On Thursday, the Islanders completed a series of transactions. Goaltender Henrik Tikkanen and defenseman Trevor Cosgrove were both recalled from loan to the ECHL's Worcester Railers. Defenseman Grant Hutton was assigned by the parent New York Islanders (NHL), while goaltender Ken Appleby was recalled by New York.

Game Information:

WATCH: AHLTV

LISTEN: Mixlr

Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack Alex Thomas will have 'Wolf Pack Pregame' starting live at 5:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr.

The Wolf Pack begin a four-game road trip on Thursday night when they visit the Islanders for round four of the 'Battle of Connecticut'. Full coverage is available on AHLTV & Mixlr starting live at 6:45 p.m.

The Pack is back at the XL Center on Saturday, January 13th, when they host the Providence Bruins. The puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

Check out the Hartford Wolf Pack Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2023


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