AHL Hartford Wolf Pack

Wolf Pack Earn Point in New Year's Eve Thriller, But Fall 2-1 to Thunderbirds

Published on December 31, 2022 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hartford Wolf Pack News Release


HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack hosted their final game of the 2022 calendar year on Saturday night against the rival Springfield Thunderbirds. The Pack picked up a point, but it was the Thunderbirds who got an early start on their New Year's celebration, scoring a 2-1 shootout victory.

Jake Neighbours put the game on ice in the bottom of the third round of the shootout. Neighbours took the puck at center ice, sped towards the Hartford net, and beat Louis Domingue to deliver the victory for the Thunderbirds. It was Neighbours' fourth game winning goal on the season.

Will Bitten put the Thunderbirds on top in the first period. Bitten took a pass from Neighbours and broke away towards the Hartford net before sliding the puck through the five-hole of Domingue to give Springfield the first lead of the game at 11:19. The goal gave Bitten six points in his last three games, and goals in back-to-back games against Hartford.

Matthew Robertson evened the score in the second period. After collecting a rebound, Will Cuylle took the puck for a ride through the Springfield zone. At the top of the zone, he found Robertson, who blasted home a goal from the left face-off circle to tie the game at one. The goal was Robertson's first on home ice this year, and his third overall.

The netminders kept the score even through the final period, with Domingue stopping four Thunderbirds shots and Joel Hofer blocking eight Wolf Pack bids. The extra frame was more of the same, with the rivals trading shots but failing to find twine.

Neighbours finally lit the lamp in the bottom of the third round of the shootout, propelling Springfield to victory after the first five shooters were unsuccessful.

The Wolf Pack return to the ice in 2023, hitting the road for a matchup with the Utica Comets on Friday, January 6th. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.

The Pack will return to the XL Center on Saturday, January 14th, hosting the Providence Bruins for the first time this season. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Join us as we celebrate Pride Night! To get tickets, visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com. # # # About OVG360: OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client-partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 200 client-partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health and public safety and more.




American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2022


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.

OurSports Central