Wolf Pack drop decision Lowell in shootout
April 10, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release
Lowell, MA, April 10, 2009: The Hartford Wolf Pack's difficulties with the Lowell Devils continued Friday night at the Paul Tsongas Arena, as the Wolf Pack lost, 3-2 in a shootout, but Hartford still clinched the Atlantic Division title when the Providence Bruins lost 6-5 at home to Portland.
The division crown is the Wolf Pack's first since the 2003-04 season, and the third in franchise history. The Pack will play either Worcester or Portland in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs, starting either Tuesday, April 14 or Thursday, April 16, depending on the opponent.
Bobby Sanguinetti's goal with 2:11 left in regulation tied Friday's game at two and got the Wolf Pack (45-27-3-4, 97 points) a point, but the Devils prevailed in a seven-round shootout, 3-2.
After a scoreless first period, in which Lowell outshot the Wolf Pack 12-6, the two teams traded goals in a span of 27 seconds early in the second frame.
Brodie Dupont gave the Wolf Pack the game's first lead at 4:39, with his 18th goal of the season. Dupont drove the middle and jammed a rebound past Lowell goaltender Jeff Frazee, after a strong rush by Artem Anisimov.
The Devils came right back at 5:06, though, as Justin Pender, playing his first pro game, fired a shot from the left point and Patrick Davis deflected it past Wolf Pack netminder Miika Wiikman.
Lowell got off to a strong start in the third period, scoring 2:18 in on a goal by Matt Halischuk. Halischuk and Brad Mills were both poking at the puck to Wiikman's right, and Halischuk was able to stuff it over the goal line.
The Devils would not get another shot on goal in the period, though, and strong Wolf Pack pressure led to Sanguinetti;s goal at 17:49. Sanguinetti's shot from the right-wing boards hit Lowell defenseman Tyler Eckford's skate and deflected past Frazee.
Eckford redeemed himself, however, by netting a pair of goals in the shootout, including the winner on Lowell's seventh attempt.
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