Wolf Pack Weekly

Published on December 31, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


The Wolf Pack wrapped up calendar year 2007 with three road games, of which they won two, in three days this past weekend. The Pack's first post-Christmas action was a 3-2 win in Springfield on Friday, but they then suffered their first shutout-against Saturday night, losing 2-0 in a GEICO Connecticut Cup game at Bridgeport. On Sunday in Manchester the Wolf Pack rode an explosion of five second-period goals in 10:31 to a 5-2 win over the Monarchs. Nigel Dawes tallied a pair of goals in that big second period Sunday, and set up Greg Moore's shorthanded game-winning goal on Friday. Moore also had a goal and an assist Sunday, and Hugh Jessiman notched 1-2-3 in the three games, as did Lauri Korpikoski.

This week:

The Wolf Pack enjoy some home cooking to start the New Year, as they host games at the XL Center vs. Portland Wednesday, Hershey Friday and Lowell Saturday. All three games face off at 7:00. Friday is Guida's Family Value Night, and Saturday features a Wolf Pack team poster giveaway to the first 5,000 fans, sponsored by "Click It or Ticket".

Wednesday, January 2nd vs. Portland at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

- Head Coach Kevin Dineen's Pirates enter the week in third place in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 18-12-2-2 for 40 points, five points behind the second-place Wolf Pack.

- The Wolf Pack have won two of the three games played thus far in the season series, including a 5-3 triumph December 2nd in the only previous meeting in Hartford.

- Andrew Ebbett's 37 points (9-28-37 in 34 GP) lead the Pirates and rank him sixth in the AHL in that department. Ebbett has the fourth-most assists in the league, and Brian Salcido (8-23-31 in 31 GP) is the top point-getter among AHL defensemen.

- For all Wolf Pack Wednesday, Friday and Sunday home games, college students and members of the military showing ID at the XL Center box office can purchase tickets at the special discount rate of $10 each (limit four tickets per ID).

- 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.harfordwolfpack.com for details.

Friday, January 4th vs. Hershey at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

- Friday nights are Guida's Family Value Nights at the XL Center. Family Value Night packages are available that include tickets, hot dogs or pizza slices, sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir. Packages start as low as $39 per family. To purchase a Family Value Night package, call the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000.

- This is the only regular-season visit to Hartford by the Bears, who are 18-12-0-2 for 38 points and in fourth place in the East Division.

- Hershey is coached by Bob Woods, who took over for Bruce Boudreau November 22nd after Boudreau was elevated to the head job with parent-club Washington.

- Bear goaltender Darren Machesney has recorded the AHL's third-best save percentage (.928) and stands fourth in the league in goals-against average at 2.12.

- For all Wolf Pack Wednesday, Friday and Sunday home games, college students and members of the military showing ID at the XL Center box office can purchase tickets at the special discount rate of $10 each (limit four tickets per ID).

- 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.harfordwolfpack.com for details.

Saturday, January 5th vs. Lowell at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

- The first 3,000 fans into this game will receive a free Wolf Pack team poster, courtesy of "Click It or Ticket". The CT Department of Transportation's Click It or Ticket campaign is a reminder that everyone needs to wear their safety belt -- every trip, every time; "It's the law - click it or ticket."

- The Lowell Devils currently occupy seventh place in the Atlantic Division, at 12-17-3-2 for 29 points, but trail sixth-place Worcester by only two points.

- Petr Vrana leads the Devils in points, with 7-26-33 in 34 games.

- After going 3-5-0-0 vs. Lowell last year, and 1-3-0-0 at home, the Wolf Pack have won the first three games between the two teams this season, including both previous get-togethers at the XL Center.

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

Recent Transactions:

Nigel Dawes - returned by the New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack December 28th.

Bruce Graham - Reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack from Charlotte (ECHL) December

28th.

Ryan Murphy - Released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack December 28th and

re-signed to PTO December 29th.

Chris Holt - Reassigned by the New York Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL) December 29th.

Jordan Owens - Recalled by the Wolf Pack from loan to Charlotte (ECHL) December 29th.

Matt Waddell - Signed to PTO agreement by the Wolf Pack December 29th.

Pack Tracks:

The Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation's annual Bowl-a-Thon to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut Eastern Region has been rescheduled to Sunday, January 6th. The event was postponed from its original date of December 16th due to inclement weather. The Bowl-a-Thon takes place at AMF Silver Lanes, 748 Silver Lane in East Hartford (860-569-2990), and features the entire Wolf Pack team bowling with teams of four bowlers, who have raised pledges to be part of the event. There are two sessions of bowling, the first running from 3:00 - 4:30 PM and the second from 5:15 - 6:45 PM. The Bowl-a-Thon is sold out for participants, and non-bowlers are invited to watch the event, for a donation of $15 to Special Olympics Connecticut.

Wolf Pack Confidential, the Wolf Pack's weekly Tuesday-night talk show, will return to the air January 8th, with Pack goaltender Al Montoya and forward Tom Pyatt as scheduled guests. The show originates live from the M&M Restaurant at the Hilton Hartford, located at 315 Trumbull St. in downtown Hartford, from 7:00-8:00 PM. Fans are welcome to be on hand at M&M for an exclusive opportunity to ask questions and speak one-on-one with the guests. Wolf Pack Confidential can be heard live on the radio home of the Wolf Pack, ESPN Radio 1410.

96.5 TIC's Acoustic Café Volume 7, the proceeds from which benefit the Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation, is on sale now at the Wolf Pack store at Hartford 21, Strawberries and FYE stores and on-line at www.965tic.com. Acoustic Café Volume 7 features exclusive performances by Daughtry, KT Tunstall, Lifehouse, Avril Lavigne, Mat Kearney, Bowling for Soup, The Fray, Collective Soul and Mandy Moore. The CD costs only $9.65, and each CD also includes a voucher redeemable for a free ticket to a Wednesday or Sunday Wolf Pack home game.

Individual tickets for Wolf Pack games are on sale now at the XL 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 December 31, 2007


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