MORIN: PACK SHUT OUT BY THUNDERBIRDS 

MORIN: PACK SHUT OUT BY THUNDERBIRDS

      VERSUS      

Springfield Thunderbirds 2, Hartford Wolf Pack 0

BY: Matt Morin, Hartford Wolf Pack

Hartford, CT, April 8, 2018 – Alexandar Georgiev stopped 46 Springfield Thunderbird shots Sunday at the XL Center, but Springfield netminder Harri Sateri denied all 26 Hartford Wolf Pack tries in a 2-0 Thunderbird win.

It took nearly a period-and-a-half for either team to find pay dirt, but near the midpoint of the second period, the Thunderbirds scored rapid-fire goals. The first came at 8:36, and it was Joel Lowry who was able to get the puck past Georgiev. A Dryden Hunt shot bounced off Georgiev’s shoulders multiple times before Lowry was able to tap the puck into the net. Curtis Valk was also credited with an assist on the goal.

The second goal came a short sixteen seconds later, at 8:52. Ryan Horvat dumped the puck into the Wolf Pack’s defensive zone and a crashing Anthony Greco scooped it up. Greco kicked the puck to himself while he deked around a Wolf Pack defenseman, and then beat Georgiev one-on-one to make the score 2-0 in favor of the Thunderbirds. Tim Erixon would also be credited with an assist on Greco’s game-winning goal.

The Wolf Pack’s Ryan Lindgren and Springfield’s Joel Lowry dropped the gloves in the final minute of the second period, but unfortunately for the Wolf Pack, the fight ruined the best scoring chance they had all game. Steven Fogarty picked off a pass at the Springfield blue line, giving him a one-on-one opportunity against Sateri. Then, at the opposite end of the ice, Lindgren, and Lowry squared up. Both would be given five-minute major penalties but Lindgren would also be given a game misconduct because he failed to fasten his tie-down.

Georgiev’s work the rest of the way kept the game within reach for the Wolf Pack, but they could never solve Sateri.

Fogarty, one of the Wolf Pack’s alternate captains, said of Georgiev, “He’s done this for us numerous times this year, and tonight he kept us in it, but it was our job to fight back.”

Wolf Pack head coach Keith McCambridge did not mince words when it came to his squad’s performance Sunday.  “They looked like a team with fresh legs and didn’t play last night, and we played last night. They were better than us in all three zones.”

The Wolf Pack’s next game is their last home game of the season, this Friday, April 13^th, a 7:15 PM game vs. the Binghamton Devils.  As at all Friday-night Wolf Pack home games, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Dave & Buster’s.  Tickets 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.

Information about all of the Wolf Pack’s many attractive ticketing options can be found online at hartfordwolfpack.com.  To speak with a Wolf Pack representative, call (855) 762-6451.

Springfield Thunderbirds 2 at Hartford Wolf Pack 0
Sunday, April 8, 2018 – XL Center

Springfield 0 2 0 – 2
Hartford 0 0 0 – 0

1st Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Schemitsch Spr (holding), 3:15; Lindgren Hfd (holding), 11:42; Chytil Hfd (hooking), 17:38.

2nd Period-1, Springfield, Lowry 3 (Hunt, Valk), 8:36. 2, Springfield, Greco 29 (Horvat, Erixon), 8:52. Penalties-Tippett Spr (tripping), 14:43; Pedrie Hfd (holding), 16:42; Crawley Hfd (high-sticking), 18:40; Lowry Spr (fighting), 19:14; Lindgren Hfd (fighting, game misconduct – elbow pad), 19:14.

3rd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Fogarty Hfd (delay of game), 3:11.

Shots on Goal-Springfield 15-21-12-48. Hartford 10-8-8-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Springfield 0 / 5; Hartford 0 / 2.
Goalies-Springfield, Sateri 14-7-3 (26 shots-26 saves). Hartford, Georgiev 13-13-7 (48 shots-46 saves).
A-3,026
Referees-Mitch Dunning (3), Jason Faist (26).
Linesmen-Nick Briganti (58), Derek Wahl (46).