Wolf Pack Open Preseason with 3-0 Win
Published on September 29, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release
HARTFORD, Conn. _ Mats Zuccarello has been trying to adjust to the smaller North American ice surface since he arrived from Norway this summer.
The 5-foot-9, 170-pound leading scorer and MVP in the Swedish Elite League last season showed little difficulty with the Koeppel Community Sports Center rink on the campus of Trinity College Wednesday night, getting a goal and an assist in a three-goal third period that lifted Wolf Pack to an opening 3-0 victory over the Albany Devils.
Then again, coach Ken Gernander shrewdly had Zuccarello make his Wolf Pack debut on an ice surface that's 10 feet narrower than in Europe but five feet wider than in North America.
"We figured we'd easy him in a little," Gernander said with a smile.
Zuccarello, who played both wings, scored the only goal the Wolf Pack needed when he backhanded in Joe Charlebois' rebound for the first of two power-play goals at 2:13 of the third.
"I just closed my eyes and shot," said a smiling Zuccarello, who said he was honored to wear an A as assistant captain with linemate Evgeny Grachev. "I saw the shot coming from the point and nobody in front of the net, so somebody had to be there. There was nothing I didn't like except we didn't score a few more goals on our chances, but it's early season so hopefully that comes."
Zuccarello said his adjustment to the smaller ice surface "is coming more and more every game, every practice so hopefully it'll be feeling pretty normal when the season starts.
"The hardest part is in the corners where it's tighter as you try to make any moves," he said. "First game here, new coach, so I thought it went OK. As the game kept going, I found my game more and more. Good start to build on."
Zuccarello said he didn't feel any pressure from the buildup of signing with the Rangers.
"I knew it would be tough coming here with the smaller rink, another team, another system," he said. "Everything is new, so I knew I'd need some time to develop, and I'm here now to be a better player in North America and hopefully I can do well and be a big help."
Zuccarrello helped on the second goal when he passed into the slot to former Quinnipiac University standout Brandon Wong, whose rebound was deposited between the legs of David Caruso (37 saves) by Samson Mahbod at 6:39 as a Wolf Pack power play ended.
Defenseman Lee Baldwin capped the Wolf Pack's scoring burst when he one-timed Marc-Olivier Vallerand's pass, his blueline shot beating a screened Caruso at 9:59.
Cameron Talbot (14 saves) and Dov Grumet-Morris (12) combined for the shutout. Talbot was especially strong in the first period when the Devils had 10 of their shots.
Gernander expected more physicality after no fights in the first four days of training camp, and the players obliged with several crunching checks and six fights, including four in the third period after two in 17 seconds in the second period. The first pitted Matt McCue and former Wolf Pack defenseman Chris Murray.
"I thought there were a lot of good things that you look for in the preseason," Gernander said. "You want certain guys to do certain things, and you saw a lot of things that Zuccarello can do as far as power play and playmaking. I thought Talbot was very strong in the first period against some good opportunities, and then Morris came in and didn't give up any goals.
"Everyone played hard, and we had some guys who showed some grit. Everything is not going to be real cohesive yet, but when you see the flashes or skills that got the guys drafted or you see some guys who really battle and compete, those are the kinds of things you're looking for."
The Wolf Pack continues their home preseason schedule Friday night at 7 when they face the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the TD Bank Sports Center at Quinnipiac University.
American Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2010
- Wolf Pack Open Preseason with 3-0 Win - Connecticut Whale
- Wolves Open Preseason with 5-3 Win Over Rockford - Chicago Wolves
- Rockford's Comeback Falls Short Against Chicago - Rockford IceHogs
- Worcester Sharks Drop Exhibition Opener to Bruins - Worcester Sharks
- P-Bruins Open Preseason with 4-0 Win - Providence Bruins
- Devils Fall to Wolf Pack 3-0 in Pre-Season Outing - Albany Devils
- Pirates Weekly - Portland Pirates
- Buffalo Sabres Trim Camp Roster by 14 Players - Portland Pirates
- Monarchs Will Shake Things up Throughout October - Manchester Monarchs
- Rampage Announces Presenting Sponsors - San Antonio Rampage
- Hurricanes Assign Boychuk to Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
- Bears Unveil Third Jersey for 2010-11 - Hershey Bears
- Capitals Recall Braden Holtby - Hershey Bears
- Pirates Cancel Saturday Pre-Season Game - Portland Pirates
- Griffins Welcome Nine Players from Detroit - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Columbus Assigns Nine Players to Springfield - Springfield Falcons
- Providence Bruins Receive Six from Boston - Providence Bruins
- Devils Reduce Training Camp Roster to 29 - Albany Devils
- Crunch Release Three Players - Syracuse Crunch
- B-Sens Announce 2010-11 Training Camp Roster - Binghamton Senators
- Ottawa Senators Reduce Training Camp Roster by 16 Players - Binghamton Senators
- Crunch Edge Penguins in Shootout, 7-6 - Syracuse Crunch
- Rivermen Drop Preseason Opener to Rockford - Peoria Rivermen
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.
