Wolf Pack Weekly

December 6, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


Last week equaled 5 out of 6 points, back-to-back shutouts, and breaking a Monarch's reign. The Wolf Pack lost a heartbreaker in a 13 round shootout on Friday 1-0 to the Lowell Lock Monsters. Goaltender Steve Valiquette earned the zero in regulation play. On Saturday, Alexandre Giroux scored the team's first hat-trick of the season on the way to a 6-0 drubbing of the Worcester IceCats. On Sunday, Jeff Hamilton scored at 1:01 of the overtime frame to end the Monarch's home winning streak (they were 10-0-0-0) and 13-game unbeaten streak.

Starting the week, the club has gone five games without a regulation loss. The Pack stands number two in the Atlantic Division with 31 points (14-5-1-2). Starting the week, the Pack have the best penalty-killing average in the league (92.24%) and the fewest against (38). Steve Valiquette currently has the best goals against average in the league at 1.30.

This week:

The team begins the week getting into the holiday spirit with a visit to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center where they will celebrate with more than 100 children recovering from or undergoing cancer treatment and their families. Then, the scrooge mentality will set in, as the club faces four opponents in five nights, including Manchester and three other Atlantic Division rivals, hoping not to give up a point to any of the clubs.

Tuesday, December 7 - Connecticut Children's Medical Center Visit

The entire team joins children at the CCMC at the Wolf Pack's eighth annual Christmas visit. The team will sign autographs and give presents to the children during their two hour-long visit.

Tuesday, December 7 - "Pack Talk" at Little Mark's Big Barbecue on ESPN Radio 1410

This week's scheduled guests Blair Betts and Bryce Lampman will join the voice of the Wolf Pack, Bob Crawford, at Little Mark's Big Barbecue, 279 West Main Street (Route 44) in Avon from 7 to 8:00 p.m. Fans are invited to come down to Little Mark's to participate live, or to listen in on ESPN Radio 1410.

Wednesday, December 8 vs. Springfield - Hartford Civic Center, 7:05 p.m.
* The Pack are 2-0-0-1 against the Falcons, they lost 3-2 in a shootout in Springfield on November 20
* The Falcons currently sit in last place in the Atlantic Division with 17 points and going into the week have the most goals against in the league (86), have taken the least amount of shots (an average of 25.6 per game) and faced the most shots against per game (36.26)
* The Wolf Pack's Secret Santa promotion continues, with lucky fans getting a visit from Santa along with some special Wolf Pack presents
* On the web only at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Friday, December 10 at Providence - Dunkin' Donuts Center, 7:05 p.m.
* The Bruins currently sit in fifth place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 10-10-2-2 and 24 points
* The Pack have faced Providence three times already this season, and sport a record of 2-1-0-0. Their last meeting was a 6-0 win over the Bruins on home ice November 28
* As of Monday, the Bruins lead the league in most penalty minutes per game, with an average of 32. The Wolf Pack's powerplay currently stands at 14.89%
* Radio - live on ESPN Radio 1410 with Bob Crawford and on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Saturday, December 11 vs. Manchester - Hartford Civic Center, 7:05 p.m.
* With a Pack overtime win over the Monarchs on Sunday, Manchester still leads the Atlantic Division with a record of 20-1-1-0, and 41 points.
* The Monarchs lead the league in goals for (97), have the best powerplay in the league (22.22%), and have the league's top two scorers in Michael Cammalleri (20-17-37) and Yanick Lehoux (15-21-36)
* The Pack Shop will have its annual White Sale on Saturday, with discounts on merchandise ... a great gift idea for the hockey fan in the family and the Secret Santa promotion continues, with lucky fans getting a visit from Santa along with some special Wolf Pack presents
* TV - live on MSG and FoxSportsNet - New England
* Radio - live on ESPN Radio 1410 with Mark Bailey and on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Sunday, December 12 vs. Worcester IceCats - Hartford Civic Center, 4:05 p.m.
* As of today, the IceCats trail second-place Hartford by five points in the Atlantic Division with a record of 12-8-1-1. The teams have faced-off against each other three times this season, with the Pack taking two of the three contests. The last win was a 6-0 shutout for the Pack in Worcester on December 4. Jason LaBarbera got the whitewash, making just 15 saves on the night
* Radio - tape delay on ESPN Radio 1410, following the NY Jets football game, with Bob Crawford and live on the web: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Injuries:

Blair Betts (right shoulder dislocation) - to be determined
Thomas Pock (left ankle sprain) - 4-5 weeks
Martin Grenier (broken right thumb) - out 4-5 weeks
Layne Ulmer (left shoulder separation) - 1-2 weeks
Trevor Gillies (left wrist laceration) - day-to-day

Recent Transactions:

None

Looking Ahead:

On December 18, the club hosts its annual "Get A Gift" Night with special concert guests "Bowling for Soup", brought to you by People's Bank. The band will perform pre-game and during intermissions. January 1, the team will host another concert, this one by Radio Disney personality Aaron Carter with special guest Fan 3. January 15 is the date of this season's scout sleepover ... baseball caps will be given away to everyone in attendance at the game courtesy of Match-Up Promotions.

The 96.5 TIC Acoustic Café -Volume IV CD to benefit the Wolf Pack Community Foundation makes a great Christmas gift! Pick one up at Strawberries or FYE locations in Connecticut, Big Y World Class Markets in Connecticut and Massachusetts, FootPrints Family Super Shoe Store in Newington or the Hartford Wolf Pack store. CD's are only $9.65 and contain a voucher for a free Wolf Pack ticket (value $16.50).



American Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2004


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