Wolf Pack Weekly

March 6, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


The Wolf Pack won two out of three games last week, to move back into second place in the Atlantic Division. After a 2-1 home loss to Lowell on Wednesday snapped the Pack's season-high six-game winning streak, the team headed off to the Keystone State and swept a pair of games. On Saturday night in Philadelphia, the Wolf Pack erased a 2-0 deficit and scored a 3-2 shootout win over the Phantoms, upping their shootout record on the season to 5-0. The Pack then pulled out another come-from-behind win at Hershey on Sunday, beating the defending Calder Cup champs by a score of 3-2 in overtime. Martin Richter had the OT game-winner in that contest, and Hugh Jessiman scored a pair of goals, after netting the shootout winner in Saturday's game. Brandon Dubinsky notched two tallies Saturday in Philadelphia, and Al Montoya allowed a total of only six goals on 72 shots in the week's three games. After stopping three of four shots in Saturday's shootout, Montoya is now 3-0 in shootouts, with only two goals-against on 14 shots. The Wolf Pack have now won eight of their last nine games and are 21-5-1-0 in their last 27.

This week:

Four Atlantic Division games are on the Wolf Pack's schedule this week, starting with a clash against first-place Manchester in Manchester on Wednesday night (7:05). The Pack then finish off a string of four straight road games at Worcester on Friday evening (7:05), before returning home to host Lowell on Scout Night Saturday (7:00). The Wolf Pack are back on home ice Sunday, taking on the Springfield Falcons in a 4:00 game.

Wednesday, March 7th at Manchester (Verizon Wireless Arena), 7:05 p.m.

The Monarchs (38-16-6-1, 83 pts.) are eight points ahead of the second-place Wolf Pack in the Atlantic Division. The Pack have one game-in-hand on the L.A. King farmhands.

The Wolf Pack are 2-2-1-0 in the season series vs. Manchester. The two teams have split a pair of games at the Verizon Wireless Arena, with the Wolf Pack winning the last meeting, 4-1, on January 14th.

The Monarchs have won their last two games, but are 4-4-0-0 in eight games since a 12-game winning streak following that loss to the Wolf Pack on January 14th.

Former Wolf Pack star Jason LaBarbera leads all AHL goalies in wins (32), save percentage (.934), shutouts (7) and minutes-played.

Broadcast - live with Bob Crawford at www.hartfordwolfpack.com, or watch on B2 Networks! Go to www.hartfordwolfpack.com for details.

Friday, March 9th at Worcester (DCU Center), 7:05 p.m.

The Wolf Pack have compiled a 5-1-1-0 record thus far in the season series against the Sharks, San Jose's top affiliate, and have won all three previous games played between the two teams in Worcester.

The Sharks currently hold down the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the Atlantic with a 28-23-3-8 record for 67 points, eight points behind the Wolf Pack.

Mathieu Darche is Worcester's leading scorer, and is tied for 13th in the league in points, with 27-32-59 in 58 games.

Broadcast - live with Bob Crawford at www.hartfordwolfpack.com, or watch on B2 Networks! Go to www.hartfordwolfpack.com for details.

Saturday, March 10th vs. Lowell at the Hartford Civic Center, 7:00 p.m.

The Devils have enjoyed good success at the Civic Center this year, sweeping all three of their previous trips to Hartford. The Wolf Pack are 2-4-0-0 overall against the New Jersey prospects.

Lowell lost back-to-back games (0-1-0-1) after its victory over the Wolf Pack Wednesday, to fall into fifth place in the Atlantic (29-24-5-3, 66 pts.). The Devils, however, have at least a point in seven of their last nine games (6-2-0-1).

Lowell rookie forward Rod Pelley has five of his 13 goals on the year against the Wolf Pack.

This is another Wolf Pack "Scout Night". There will be a scout fun-fest held prior to the game, and all scouts in attendance will receive a special Wolf Pack t-shirt. To order Scout Night tickets, call the Wolf Pack ticket office at 860-548-2000.

The Wolf Pack's next tenth-anniversary commemorative giveaway takes place at this game. The first 5,000 fans will receive a poster honoring the Wolf Pack's "All-Decade" team, sponsored by Minuteman Press.

Tonight is West Hartford Night---members of the Hall High School band will be playing inside the Civic Center throughout the game.

SEASON TICKET HOLDERS: Please note that there was a misprint on tonight's game ticket and the game date was incorrectly listed as "Friday" (vs.) "Saturday" 3/10. Please disregard this misprint - your ticket is valid for tonight's game.

Broadcast - live with Bob Crawford at www.hartfordwolfpack.com, or watch on B2 Networks! Go to www.hartfordwolfpack.com for details.

Sunday, March 11th: Celebrity Sled Hockey Game vs. Chariots of Hope at the Hartford Civic Center, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

Prior to Sunday's Wolf Pack match-up against Springfield, local media members, led by Brad Drazen of NBC 30, will take part in a one-of-a-kind sled hockey match-up against "Chariots of Hope," Connecticut's sled hockey team.

This game open to the public and donations are appreciated.

Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. with a 1:30 p.m. face off.

Sunday, March 11th vs. Springfield at the Hartford Civic Center, 4:00 p.m.

The Wolf Pack are 4-3-0-0 in the DATTCO I-91 Challenge vs. the Falcons and have won two of the three previous get-togethers at the Hartford Civic Center.

The Falcons snapped an eight-game losing streak (0-7-0-1) yesterday, with a 3-2 shootout win in Worcester.

With a record of 24-36-1-2 for 51 points, Springfield currently sits seventh in the Atlantic Division, 12 points behind sixth-place Portland and 16 points out of a playoff spot.

Rookie goaltender Karri Ramo has a 1-3-0 record in action against the Pack, but has compiled a 1.76 goals-against average and a .960 save percentage in those four games.

Sunday home games are Family Value Nights. Fans can purchase Family Value Night packages of three or four tickets, with each package including a hot dog or a pizza slice and a soda per ticket, as well as a Wolf Pack souvenir. Three-packs start as low as $36. To order, call the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000.

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:

Darius Kasparaitis - leave of absence (indefinite).

Bryce Lampman - left eye abrasion (indefinite).

Craig Weller - post-concussion syndrome (indefinite).

Jake Taylor - left shoulder injury (indefinite).

Recent Transactions:

Ryan Constant - recalled by the Wolf Pack from loan to Charlotte (ECHL) February 27th and returned to

Charlotte March 1st.

Alex Bourret - loaned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers February 27th.

Jarkko Immonen - recalled by the New York Rangers from the Wolf Pack February 27th.

Brad Isbister - recalled by the New York Rangers from the Wolf Pack February 27th.

Zdenek Bahensky - returned on loan by the Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL) March 1st.

Brandon Dubinsky - recalled by the New York Rangers from the Wolf Pack March 6th.

Dave Liffiton - recalled by the New York Rangers from the Wolf Pack March 6th.

Bruce Graham - recalled by the Wolf Pack from loan to Charlotte (ECHL) March 6th.

Hannu Pikkarainen- recalled by the Wolf Pack from loan to Charlotte (ECHL) March 6th.

Practice:

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 before attending a practice.

Wed., March 7 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Verizon Wireless Arena (Game at Manchester)

Thurs., March 8 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Hartford Civic Center

Fri., March 9 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., Champions Skating Center (Game at Worcester)

Sat., March 10 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., Hartford Civic Center (Game vs. Lowell)

Sun., March 11 Game vs. Springfield

Mon., March 12 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Hartford Civic Center

Pack Tracks:

The Wolf Pack's weekly hour-long talk show, "Wolf Pack Confidential", will be off this Tuesday night, but the show will return to Little Mark's Big Barbecue next Tuesday, March 13th. Little Mark's is located at 279 West Main St. (Rt. 44) in Avon, and Wolf Pack Confidential airs from 7-8 PM. Fans are invited to be on hand for the show, and the guests field questions from the live audience. Wolf Pack Confidential can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1410 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

The Family Value Night packages that fans have been enjoying for years at Guida's Family Value Nights on Fridays are now available for Wolf Pack Sunday home games as well! Family Value Night packs get you either three or four tickets, with each package consisting of a hot dog or a pizza slice, and a soda, per ticket, as well as a Wolf Pack souvenir! Three-packs start at $36 and four-packs are as low as $48. To order your Family Value Night pack, call the Wolf Pack ticket office at 860-548-2000.

The Hartford Wolf Pack and Your Choice Auto of East Hartford will be giving away a Chrysler Sebring at the Saturday, March 31st game vs. Manchester. The promotion will feature eight contestants chosen through entry forms that can be filled out at Your Choice Auto, the Pack Shop and at home Wolf Pack games. Contestants will go through various shootouts between periods at upcoming Wolf Pack games until they are narrowed down to only two contestants. Those two contestants will then take part in a "Deal or No Deal" type of showdown at the March 31st game, where each contestant will try their luck at choosing three suitcases out of six, with one of the suitcases containing the keys to the car! Be sure to sign up for a chance to win today at Your Choice Auto in East Hartford, at the Pack Shop and at upcoming Wolf Pack games.

New videos, player trivia and 'Where are they now?' features have recently been added to the Wolf Pack's special 10th Anniversary Site---www.10years1mission.com! Log on to test your Wolf Pack trivia knowledge, find out where your favorite players and coaches are today, take a trip down memory lane with retrospective photos & season openers, and be sure to vote for the Wolf Pack All-Decade team, which will be featured on a free poster giveaway at this Saturday night's home game and on a free t-shirt giveaway at the March 31st game!

The 96.5 TIC Acoustic Café - Volume VI CD, featuring the music of some of today's most popular musical artists, recorded acoustically, is now on sale at all Big Y World Class Markets, FYE and Strawberries locations, as well as at the new Hartford Wolf Pack "Pack Shop" in the Hartford 21 Mall surrounding the Civic Center. Net proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit the charitable efforts of the Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation. The retail price of the CD is only $9.65, and it includes cuts from Staind, KT Tunstall, The Fray, Five for Fighting, Goo Goo Dolls, Barenaked Ladies, Anna Nalick, James Blunt, Nick Lachey and Smash Mouth. Each CD includes a voucher worth $16.50 for a free ticket to see a Wednesday night or Sunday night Wolf Pack game during the 2006-07 season.

The Wolf Pack's "Pack Shop" is located in the newly-renovated Hartford 21 Mall surrounding the Civic Center. The Pack Shop is open for business 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 Saturdays and Sundays! The Pack Shop features a Wolf Pack hockey rink-tiled replica floor and offers a full line of Wolf Pack merchandise and special 10th Anniversary items. Stop by and check it out today!

Individual tickets for Wolf Pack games are on sale now at the Hartford Civic Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations including Macy'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.



American Hockey League Stories from March 6, 2007


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