Wolf Pack Weekly

Published on January 3, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


The Wolf Pack finished and started the year with wins against the Utah Grizzlies, which puts them just two points out of first place in the Atlantic Division behind Manchester. The club has a record of 24-8-1-2, and is 12-3-0-0 in its last 15 games. The Wolf Pack remain the stingiest team in the league when it comes to giving up goals. Opponents have netted just 63 goals against the Pack, while Jason LaBarbera and Steve Valiquette remain number one and two in goals against averages in the league, 1.57 and 1.75 respectively. LaBarbera also sports the best saves percentage at .942. With wins last week, Jason LaBarbera remains undefeated in 11 straight decisions. The team continues to lead the penalty killing parade as well, with a 90.76% efficiency while shorthanded.

This week:

Three games against Atlantic Division rivals this week, but not before a four-day hiatus. The team then plays three in three, facing Portland at home, then Springfield and Manchester on the road.

Tuesday, January 4 - "Pack Talk" at Little Mark's Big Barbecue on ESPN Radio 1410

This week's scheduled guests Jake Taylor and Layne Ulmer 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.

Friday, January 7 vs. Portland - Hartford Civic Center 7:05 p.m.
* The Pirates are currently in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 13-16-3-4. The Wolf Pack are 3-1-0-0 against Portland ... their last game, a win on the road, 3-2 in a shootout on December 19
* Chad Wiseman is the high scorer against Portland (2-3-5) while Tomas Fleischmann leads the Pirates against the Wolf Pack (2-3-5)
* The Pack's one overtime loss of the season thus far came in Portland back on November 19, a 3-2 decision
* It's Guida's Family Value Night - a family of four can purchase a package for as low as $44 and receive tickets to the game, refreshments and a Wolf Pack souvenir ... call 548-2000 for more information
* Radio - live on ESPN Radio 1410 with Bob Crawford and on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Saturday, January 8 at Springfield - Springfield Civic Center 7:00 p.m.
* The Falcons are currently in last place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 11-20-2-2. The Wolf Pack are 3-0-0-1 against the Falcons, their last meeting a 2-0 win for the Wolf Pack on December 8. This will be the fourth of ten meetings between the clubs.
* Jozef Balej leads Wolf Pack scorers against Springfield with 1 goal and 4 assists, while Shane Willis leads the Falcons against the Wolf Pack with 3 assists.
* Radio - live on ESPN Radio 1410 with Bob Crawford and on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Sunday, January 9 at Manchester - Verizon Wireless Arena 4:05 p.m.
* The Monarchs remain in first place in the Atlantic Division as of today with a record of 25-6-2-1. They also have three of the league's top five scorers on their club in Yanick Lehoux (49 points), Michael Cammalleri (46 points) and Tom Kostopoulos (44 points) and also sport the best power play in the league with a 21.08% success rate with the extra attacker
* This is the third of eight meetings between the two clubs, the Wolf Pack taking the first two games, the last a 3-2 win in Hartford on December 11
* Radio - live on ESPN Radio 1410 with Bob Crawford and on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Injuries:
Jeff MacMillan (concussion) - day-to-day
Jed Ortmeyer (sprained right knee) - 2-3 weeks
David Liffiton (right shoulder sprain) - 2-3 weeks
Thomas Pock (left ankle sprain) - 2-3 weeks
Trevor Gillies (broken left foot) - 5-7 weeks
Martin Grenier (right thumb) - had surgery January 3, TBD
Blair Betts (right shoulder) - had surgery December 23, out indefinitely

Recent Transactions:
None

Practice Schedule: All Wolf Pack practices are open to the media at the Hartford Civic Center or Champions Skating Center in Cromwell. As schedules are subject to last-minute changes, please call the public relations department at (860) 246-7825 Ext. 256 before attending a practice.

Tue. January 4 10:00 a.m. - noon, Cromwell
Wed. January 5 10:00 a.m. - noon, Cromwell
Thu. January 6 10:00 a.m. - noon, HCC
Fri. January 7 10:00 - 11:15 a.m., HCC (game vs. Portland)
Sat. January 8 Game at Springfield (bus to Manchester post-game)
Sun. January 9 Game at Manchester
Mon. January 10 10:00 a.m. - noon, HCC (tentative)

Looking Ahead:

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 ... Red Wolf tickets are almost completely sold out for the game.

The 96.5 TIC Acoustic Café -Volume IV CD to benefit the Wolf Pack Community Foundation is available 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).

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American Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2005


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