Wolf Pack first to clinch divisional title
April 9, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release
Hartford, April 9, 2004 - With last night's 5-2 victory over Lowell, the Hartford Wolf Pack are the first American Hockey League team to clinch a divisional title. That guarantees home ice advantage for the Pack through the division finals. At this point, the Atlantic Division race is still so close the Wolf Pack could mathematically play Worcester, Providence, Portland or Lowell. In all likelihood, the Pack's Calder Cup run will start Wednesday, April 21, unless there is a Hartford-Portland match-up, when the first game would go Tuesday, the 20th.
The win last night gives the Wolf Pack 98 points, tied with Philadelphia for the conference lead, although the Phantoms have a game in hand. The Pack have lost the least amount of games in the league with 22, and are currently just two points behind Milwaukee for the league title, which would translate to home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
This weekend, the Pack plays at home against Wilkes-Barre Scranton on Saturday (7:05 p.m.) and then on Sunday versus Providence (4:05 p.m.). Saturday is the kickoff of the team's Fan Appreciation Weekend and everyone in attendance will receive a gift, including 2,004 lucky fans who will get the 3rd annual limited edition Sonar bobblehead. This collectable is a fan-favorite. Saturday, the team will also literally give "the shirts of their backs". At the end of the game, players will take off their jerseys and 20 lucky fans will be randomly chosen to win them. In addition, Dora the Explorer will be in attendance to meet and greet children at the game.
On Sunday, the team salutes their best with the annual Awards Night presentations. Awards will be presented to the Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, the Unsung Hero, Best Defenseman and the Community Service Award. The ceremony will take place at the conclusion of the game.
The AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack hockey club is part of Madison Square Garden LP. Cablevision Systems Corporation owns a controlling interest in MSG LP, which also includes the New York Rangers (NHL), New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Liberty (WNBA), the MSG Network, Fox Sports Net and the Madison Square Garden arena complex.
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