Wolf Pack Weekly

Published on April 11, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


The Pack's five-game win streak ended with a 2-1 loss to the Providence Bruins in Rhode Island yesterday afternoon. The team remains in second spot in the Atlantic Division with a 48-22-3-3 record, four points behind Manchester, whom the club plays on Wednesday. The Wolf Pack are just a win away from tying a franchise record for most wins in a season (49, by the 99-00 Calder Cup winning Wolf Pack). Hartford still has the second best penalty-killing record in the league with an 89.40% proficiency rating. Their powerplay stands at 15.49%. The team is 7-1-1-1 in its last ten games.

Steve Valiquette and Jason LaBarbera still lead the league with the best goals against averages - 1.72 and 1.81 respectively. The pair could become the first team in 15 years to boast the AHL's two top-ranked netminders at season's end. Jeff Hamilton's 10 game winning goals ties him for second in the league.

This week:

The Pack play four games in five nights to finish out the 2004-05 regular season, starting with an all-important game versus Manchester on Wednesday. The team meets the Albany River Rats for only the second time this season on Friday, before finishing out with back-to-back games versus Springfield.

Tuesday, April 12 - "Pack Talk" at Little Mark's Big Barbecue on ESPN Radio 1410 This is the last week of Pack Talk for the season. This week's scheduled guests Jed Ortmeyer and Craig Weller 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 7:00 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, April 13 vs. Manchester - Hartford Civic Center 7:05 p.m.
* The two teams continue their battle for first place in the Atlantic Division, and home-ice advantage through the divisional finals. The Monarchs are 49-19-4-4 and come into this game on a three-game winning streak. The club is 7-2-0-1 in their last 10.
* The Wolf Pack's record against the Monarchs is 4-2-0-1, which will be important if the Wolf Pack tie the Monarchs for points and wins at the end of the year. The second 'tie breaker' for the division title then reverts to which team won the season series. The Pack lost its last game versus Manchester 2-1 in a shootout in Manchester on March 18
* High scorers for the Wolf Pack are Alexandre Giroux and Jamie Lundmark with six points each, while Mike Cammalleri, who is second overall in league scoring with 45-61-106 has eight of those points against the Wolf Pack
* The Monarchs finish their season with a home game against Lowell, then away games versus Bridgeport and Worcester
* Lucas Lawson and Jake Taylor will sign autographs post-game in the team's final autograph session of the year.
* On the web only at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Friday, April 15 vs. Albany - Hartford Civic Center 7:05 p.m.
* The River Rats are out of the playoff race this season, and currently sport a record of 28-35-7-6 for 69 points, and are in last place in the East Division. The club has a 14-16-4-4 road record.
* However, the Wolf Pack lost to the River Rats 5-1 in their only meeting of the season back on January 14 in Albany. Jozef Balej scored the Pack's only goal, while Pascal Rheaume and Dean McAmmond each had three points.
* 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
* On the web only at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Saturday, April 16 at Springfield - Springfield Civic Center 7:00 p.m.
* The Springfield Falcons are out of the playoffs as well, with a current record of 22-46-5-3 for 52 points, and are in last place in the Atlantic Division. The club is 15-17-3-3 at home.
* The Wolf pack is 6-1-0-1 versus Springfield, their last game, a 1-0 overtime win for the Wolf pack in Springfield on April 1. Jozef Balej is the Pack's high scorer versus Springfield with four goals and five assists, while Ryan Craig is 4-0-4 for the Falcons.
* Jason LaBarbera and Steve Valiquette have split netminding duties against the Falcons, both playing in four games.
* Joined in progress on ESPN Radio 1410 after New York Yankees baseball, and live on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Sunday, April 17 vs. Springfield - Hartford Civic Center 4:05 p.m.
* This is the last game of the regular season for the Wolf Pack.
* The GEICO Connecticut Cup will be presented before the game. Mayor Eddie A. Perez will be in attendance to accept the Cup along with team captain Ken Gernander. The Pack won the inaugural cup after beating Bridgeport in their season series 6-2-2-0.
* Post game, the team will present its team awards and hold its annual "Shirts Off Our Backs" promotion. This year's team awards are: Community Service, Character, Fan Favorite, Unsung Hero and MVP
* Joined in progress on ESPN Radio 1410 after New York Yankees baseball, and live on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Playoffs:

Depending on whom the Wolf Pack face in the first round, their first two home games will either be played on Thursday, April 21 and Saturday, April 23 or Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23.

Individual tickets for the Wolf Pack's first two home games (Games A and B) are on sale now at the Hartford Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations and on the web at www.hartfordwolfpack.com. Individual tickets for the first round are available for as little as $9.00 for youth and $17.00 for adults. Playoff ticket strips (all 16 games) are on sale now by calling (860) 548-2000. Prices start as low as $198.40 for adults and $107.20 for youth 16 and under.

Injuries:
Craig Weller (concussion) - TBD
Chad Wiseman (concussion) - TBD
Lucas Lawson (groin) - day-to-day
Jake Taylor (groin) - out indefinitely
Blair Betts (right shoulder) - out indefinitely

Recent Transactions:
Steve MacIntyre recalled from Charlotte of the ECHL on April 8, 2005

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. April 12 10:30 a.m. to noon, HCC
Wed. April 13 10:00 to 11:15 a.m., HCC (Game vs. Manchester)
Thu. April 14 10:00 a.m. to noon, HCC
Fri. April 15 10:00 - 11:15 a.m., HCC (Game vs. Albany)
Sat. April 16 10:00 - 11:15 a.m., HCC (Game at Springfield)
Sun. April 17 Game vs. Springfield
Mon, April 18 TBD

Pack Tracks:

The Hartford Wolf Pack "Pack Shop" at 100 Allyn Street is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as two hours prior to and one hour after each and every Wolf Pack home game, including Saturday and Sundays. A full line of Wolf Pack merchandise is available, while a limited selection of items will still be available in the Civic Center Mall before games.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2005


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