CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: December 18-24, 2017 

CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: Dec 18-24, 2017

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT – The Wolf Pack (11-12-3-3, 28 pts., .483) banked three out of a possible four points in a pair of Atlantic Division games this past week, stretching a season-high streak of games with at least a standings point to seven (4-0-1-2).  On Friday night at home, the Wolf Pack exploded for a season-best seven goals against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, defeating the second-place Penguins by a score of 7-3.  John Gilmour (2-1-3) and Gabriel Fontaine (two goals) both struck for their first career pro multiple-goal games in that victory.  Then on Saturday night in Springfield, the Wolf Pack were held to one goal, a first-period power-play tally by Ryan Gropp, in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Thunderbirds.  

Latest AHL CONFERENCE Standings

This week:

The Wolf Pack head into the Christmas holiday with a three-game week, starting with a visit to Allentown, PA to take on Lehigh Valley on Wednesday night.  That game faces off at 7:05 PM.  The next two are on home ice, with division-leading Providence coming to Hartford on Friday night at 7:15, and Bridgeport visiting the XL Center for a 3:00 matinee on Saturday.

Wednesday, December 20 at the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia) at the PPL Center, 7:05 PM

• This is the third meeting of the season between the Wolf Pack and Phantoms, and the Wolf Pack are 2-0-0-0 in the season series thus far.  The Wolf Pack triumphed 2-1 in a shootout October 8 in Hartford, and then took a 5-4 decision from Lehigh Valley in Allentown October 28.
• The Phantoms (18-9-1-2, 39 pts., .650), who have the third-highest-scoring offense in the AHL with a goals-per-game average of 3.67, come into the week in third place in the Atlantic Division, but with one more point than division-leading Providence.
• Lehigh Valley’s Danick Martel (17-9-26 in 27 GP) is tied for the AHL goals lead, and teammate Phil Varone is only one point behind league point-scoring leader Chris Bourque of Hershey, with 9-22-31 in 30 games.
• Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at ahllive.com. 

Friday, December 22 vs. the Providence Bruins (Boston) at the XL Center, 7:15 PM

• At this game, and all Wolf Pack Friday-night home games, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Dave & Buster’s.
• The Bruins (18-7-2-0, 38 pts., .704) come into the week winners of nine of their last ten, and 11 of their last 13 outings, and sitting atop the Atlantic Division.
• The Wolf Pack and Bruins have met twice previously this season and the Bruins have won both, 5-0 on November 4 at the XL Center and 4-3 in a shootout December 8 in Providence.
• Bruin rookie Zach Senyshyn, a first-round pick (15^th overall) by the parent Boston Bruins in 2015, is on a three-game goal streak (3-1-4).
• Tickets for this and all 2017-18 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 day-of-game increase.
• Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at ahllive.com.

Saturday, December 23 vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (Islanders) at XL Center, 3:00 PM

• Stick around after the game for the Wolf Pack’s post-game skate. Fans are encouraged to bring their own skates. Rentals will not be available. Check in your skates in the XL Center atrium prior to the start of the game.
• The Sound Tigers have a win and an overtime loss to show for their last two games but have won only one of their last seven contests (1-4-1-1).  Bridgeport enters the week one point ahead of the Wolf Pack in the Atlantic Division standings, at 13-11-2-1 (29 pts., .537).
• The Wolf Pack are 1-3-1-0 in head-to-head action against their in-state rivals this season, and the Sound Tigers have prevailed in both of the teams’ previous meetings at the XL Center, winning 5-1 on October 27 and 2-1 in overtime November 15.
• Thirteenth-year pro, Steve Bernier, who is second on the Sound Tiger team in goals with 10-4-14 in 21 games, was recalled by the parent New York Islanders Friday.
• Tickets for this and all 2017-18 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 day-of-game increase.
• Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at ahllive.com.

Wolf Pack Community Appearances:

The Wolf Pack have the following appearances scheduled this week.  For further information on these, or any other Wolf Pack community initiatives, contact Wolf Pack community relations manager Frank Berrian, at (860) 541-4728:

• Monday, December 18, 6:00 PM, Bushnell Park, Downtown Hartford

Wolf Pack players Gabriel Fontaine, Ryan Gropp, Dawson Leedahl, Vinni Lettieri and Neal Pionk are scheduled to join Sonar, the Wolf Pack’s beloved mascot, in taking to the ice at the Winterfest rink in Bushnell Park.  They will be skating with fans, signing autographs and spreading holiday cheer.

Recent Transactions:

Filip Chytil – reassigned from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers to the Czech National Junior Team December 13.

Caleb Herbert – signed by the Wolf Pack to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement December 17.

Wolf Pack Holiday Pack:

The Wolf Pack Holiday Pack, the perfect holiday gift for any hockey fan, is available now through the end of December.  The Holiday Pack includes: a limited-edition Wolf Pack mini-stick, autographed by a Wolf Pack player, complete with a certificate of authenticity; two (2) Red-level Flex Vouchers, good for any remaining 2017-18 Wolf Pack home game (subject to availability); and a $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card.  The cost of the Holiday Pack, which is a $75 value, is only $56.  The Wolf Pack Holiday Pack can be purchased by calling 855-762-6451 and speaking with a Wolf Pack ticket representative, or by visiting hartfordwolfpack.com/holiday.

Pack Tracks:

Saturday, December 30, when the Wolf Pack host the Springfield Thunderbirds in a 7:00 PM game, the first 2,000 fans will take home a Wolf Pack player trading card set, presented by CM Concessions.

Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Dave & Buster’s.  After this Friday, the Wolf Pack’s next Friday-night date is January 19, when they host the Utica Comets at 7:15 PM.

Each of the Wolf Pack’s Sunday and Wednesday home games will feature the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Family Value Pack”.  The Family Value Pack includes two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for just $40.  The next Family Value Pack game is Sunday, January 7, when the Springfield Thunderbirds visit for a 5:00 PM tilt.

Every Wolf Pack Wednesday home game is a “Winning Wednesday”.  If the Wolf Pack win at home on a Wednesday, fans can show their Winning Wednesday ticket at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center and receive a free ticket to the next Wolf Pack home game (some restrictions apply).  The next Wolf Pack Wednesday home outing is February 7, the “Sonar’s Edu-Skate” school-day morning game vs. Bridgeport at 11:00 AM.

Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased at the XL Center ticket office, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 day-of-game increase.

To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.

TRACK THE PACK ON-LINE AT HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM

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