Wolf Pack Weekly

April 14, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


The Wolf Pack finished off their regular season this past week by sweeping three games. With that strong ending, the Pack fashioned a final record of 50-20-2-8 for 110 points, which sets a franchise record for standings points and ties the team mark for most wins in a season. The Wolf Pack completed its season series with I-91 rival Springfield with a 4-1 road victory on Friday, the Pack's ninth victory in 10 games vs. the Falcons this year. The final two games of the season consisted of a home-and-home series with Bridgeport, and the Wolf Pack captured both ends, 5-2 in Hartford on Saturday night and 3-2 in Bridgeport on Sunday, to retain the GEICO Connecticut Cup.

This week:

The Wolf Pack, the second-place finishers in the Atlantic Division, start their 11th straight trip to the Calder Cup playoffs this Wednesday night, April 16th at the XL Center, with Game One of their best-of-seven Atlantic-Division Semifinal series against Kevin Dineen and the third-place Portland Pirates. Faceoff is 7:00 PM, and Game Two of the series is this Thursday, April 17th, also at the XL Center and also facing off at 7:00. The matchup then switches to Portland for Games Three and Four, this Saturday, April 19th at 7:05 and Sunday, April 20th at 6:05 PM.

Tickets for the Wolf Pack's first two home games of the series (Games "A" and "B") 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, and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com. First-round home playoff tickets for adults are priced at $20 for blue-level seats, $24 for red-level seats and $28 for grey-level seats. All first-round playoff seats for kids 16 or younger are $11. Ticket strips are available now for all 16 possible Wolf Pack home Calder Cup playoff games. Those can be purchased through the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000, or on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com. Playoff strips start as low as $208 for adults in the red level and $176 for kids.

Wednesday, April 16th, Game One vs. Portland at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

- The Wolf Pack compiled a 3-3-1-1 record in regular-season action vs. the Pirates, and were 2-0-1-1 in four home games in the season series.

- This is the third all-time playoff meeting between the Wolf Pack and Portland, and both teams have won one previous series. The Wolf Pack dispatched the Pirates in five games in an Atlantic Division Semifinal series in 2004, and the Pirates triumphed in a six-game Atlantic Division Final battle in 2006. Wolf Pack forward P.A. Parenteau scored the series-winning overtime goal for Portland in that matchup.

- Head Coach Kevin Dineen's Pirates finished the regular year 45-26-5-4 for 99 points, 11 points behind the Wolf Pack. Portland went unbeaten in regulation in its last six regular-season games (3-0-3-0), but won only three of its last 10 (3-4-0-3).

- Andrew Ebbett was the Pirates' leading scorer during the regular year, with 18-54-72. That was good for sixth in the AHL in assists and a tie for 11th in points.

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

Thursday, April 17th, Game Two vs. Portland at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

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

Saturday, April 19th, Game Three at Portland (Cumberland County Civic Center), 7:05 p.m.

- The Wolf Pack went 1-3-0 in four regular-season visits to Portland this year, but are 10 games above .500 (19-9-4-2) all-time at the Cumberland County Civic Center in the regular season, 3-3 in six all-time playoff games.

- The Pirates compiled a 27-10-2-1 home slate during the regular season.

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

Sunday, April 20th, Game Four at Portland (Cumberland County Civic Center), 6:05 p.m.

- Radio - live with Bob Crawford on ESPN Radio 1410, and on the web at: www.hartfordwolfpack.com, or watch on B2 Networks! Go to www.harfordwolfpack.com for details.

Recent Transactions:

Ryan Constant - Recalled by the Wolf Pack from loan to Charlotte (ECHL) April 13th.

Chris Holt - Reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack from Charlotte (ECHL) April 13th.

Tom Pyatt - Reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack from Charlotte (ECHL) April 13th.

Mark Lee - Recalled by the Wolf Pack from loan to Charlotte (ECHL) April 13th.

Jordan Owens - Recalled by the Wolf Pack from loan to Charlotte (ECHL) April 13th.

Mike Taylor - Released from an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement by the Wolf Pack April 13th.

Pack Tracks:

Sonar, the Wolf Pack's lovable mascot, will be appearing this Saturday, April 19th from 10:00-11:00 AM at Family Fun Day at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford (860-987-6000).

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.

Wolf Pack 2008-09 season tickets are on sale now. For information on all of the Wolf Pack's ticketing options, including full-season, six, 10 and 20-game packages, coupon books and group discounts, contact the Wolf Pack Ticket Office at (860) 548-2000.



American Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2008


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