Wolf Pack Weekly

December 5, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


The Wolf Pack played three road games this past weekend, and gained five out of a possible six points. They fell in overtime to Manchester on Friday by a score of 2-1, but rebounded to post their first overtime triumph of the year in Portland the next night, beating the Pirates 5-4. The Pack finished the weekend with a GEICO Connecticut Cup victory in Bridgeport Sunday, riding a three-goal third period to a 5-3 verdict. Dwight Helminen was the team's top performer on the week, with three-point performances (2-1-3) both Saturday and Sunday. Defenseman Thomas Pöck scored the overtime game-winner at 0:37 of the extra period in Saturday's game, and fellow blueliner Martin Grenier, skating at forward, bagged the winner with his first goal of the year Sunday.

This week:

The Wolf Pack visit Springfield on Friday, and then return home to host the defending Calder Cup champion Philadelphia Phantoms on Guaranteed Win Night Saturday (7:05).

Tuesday, December 6 - Wolf Pack Holiday Party at CT Children's Medical Center, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
The entire Pack team will join more than 100 cancer patients and their families for their ninth annual Holiday party at CT Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington St. in Hartford. The party has become an annual tradition and a perennial favorite of players during the holiday season. The team will sign autographs and distribute presents to children undergoing treatment for, and recovering from, cancer.

Tuesday, December 6 - "Wolf Pack Confidential" at Little Mark's Big Barbecue on ESPN Radio 1410
The Wolf Pack's weekly hourlong live radio show originates from Little Mark's Big Barbecue, 279 West Main Street (Route 44) in Avon, from 7 to 8:00 p.m. Scheduled to join host Bob Crawford this week are Jeff Taffe and Daniel Sparre. They will be taking questions from the live audience at Little Mark's (all are invited), and the show can be heard on ESPN Radio 1410 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

Friday, December 9 at Springfield (MassMutual Center), 7:35 p.m.
* At 12-9-1-2 for 27 points, the Falcons trail the third-place Wolf Pack by two points in the Atlantic Division.
* The Pack are 1-1-1-0 on the year vs. the Falcons and won the last game between the two clubs 5-3 November 6th in Springfield.
* Springfield's top offensive performer has been rookie Ryan Vesce, who has rolled up 7-20-27 in 24 games.
* Broadcast - live with Bob Crawford on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com or watch on B2 Network! Go to www.hartfordwolfpack.com for details.

Saturday, December 10 vs. Philadelphia at the Hartford Civic Center, 7:00 p.m.
* The reigning Calder Cup champs are currently in third place in the East Division with a record of 11-13-0-2 for 24 points.
* Pat Kavanagh leads the Phantoms in points and goals, with totals of 11-8-19 in 26 games.
* This game is a Guaranteed Win Night, sponsored by Advance Auto Parts-if the Wolf Pack do not beat the Phantoms, then fans can turn in their tickets at the Civic Center Box Office for complimentary tickets to the Pack's home game December 14th against Manchester.
* One lucky fan will have a chance to win a car, courtesy of Middletown Nissan and Infinity Radio.
* The Wolf Pack and the Hartford Fire Department will team up to collect donations for Hartford's Operation Fuel. Operation Fuel operates fuel banks, providing emergency energy assistance to elderly, disabled and low-income working poor families who are facing financial crisis.
* Radio - live with Bob Crawford on ESPN Radio 1410 and on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com or watch on B2 Network! Go to www.hartfordwolfpack.com for details.

Injury Report:
Alexandre Giroux - broken foot (3-5 weeks)
Bryce Lampman - dislocated left shoulder (2-3 weeks).
Al Montoya - broken finger (day-to-day).
Dale Purinton - knee sprain (1-3 weeks).
Daniel Sparre - viral infection (day-to-day).

Recent Transactions:
None

Pack Tracks:

Saturday, December 17th is the Wolf Pack's "Get a Gift Night", and the gift this year is a doubleheader of hockey action at the Hartford Civic Center. The Wolf Pack will take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers that night at 7:00 PM in a GEICO Connecticut game. Prior to that, at 3:00 PM, the U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team will play Finland as part of the "Hilton Family Skate to 2006 Tour". Presented by the Hilton Family of Hotels, that is an 11-game U.S. tour in preparation for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. These two games on December 17th will be a single admission, a Wolf Pack/Sound Tigers ticket gets you in to see both contests.

On January 6th the Wolf Pack will honor Ron Francis, Kevin Dineen and Pack assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson in a ceremony to celebrate their careers and the significant impact and influence that all three individuals had upon the sport of hockey in Hartford. ALL are scheduled to appear in the pre-game festivity. The Pack go up against Dineen's Portland Pirates that night in a 7:00 game.

Individual tickets for Wolf Pack games are on sale now at the Hartford Civic Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations including Filene's at the Buckland Hills Mall and at the Westfarms Mall. Tickets may also be charged by phone at (860) 525-4500, (203) 744-8100, (203) 624-0033 or (413) 733-2500 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com. Season tickets, five, 10 and 20 game packages and group tickets are also available. Contact 860-548-2000 for more details.

The Hartford Wolf Pack "Pack Shop", located 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.



American Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2005


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