COLLINS: PACK CLOSE OUT WEEKEND WITH LOSS TO BRUINS 

BY: Micah Collins, Hartford Wolf Pack

Hartford, CT, March 1, 2020 – A power-play goal by Brendan Gaunce early in the third period was the difference Sunday, in a 3-2 win by the Providence Bruins over the Hartford Wolf Pack at the XL Center.

The Wolf Pack concluded a weekend that had them playing three games in three days, going 1-2 during that time. “The guys worked really hard,” said Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch. “They could have phoned it in, with it being their third game in as many days, but they just don’t have any quit in them.”

Providence got on the board first when Oskar Steen scored his seventh goal of the year shorthanded 8:19 into the game. Trent Frederic and Josiah Didier assisted on the goal.

Shortly thereafter, Jack Studnicka would score to put the Bruins up 2-0 at 11:32. Cameron Hughes had the lone assist. “They got up 2-0 early, and we really knew we weren’t playing our best,” the Wolf Pack’s Tim Gettinger said.  “They really took it to us in the first, we weren’t moving our feet. We had some chances later in the game, though.”

The second period seemed like it would be a stalemate, until Libor Hajek scored his first goal of the season with 11:56 left in the middle frame, firing a laser past Max Lagace (21 saves). “Hajek had a great play there, moving up the ice, and it was a really good shot,” said Gettinger.  That really helped to give us some energy and get back in it.” Vinni Lettieri had the lone assist.

With 5:55 left in the second period, Gettinger scored his 16^th goal of the year, and his third in the last two games, to make it 2-2. Patrick Newell and Vincent LoVerde assisted on the tally.

Gettinger was quick to credit his teammates. “[LoVerde] made a great play to Patty, luckily I was able to put it in.” The goal would send the two teams into the second intermission tied.

The winning goal came 2:40 into the third, 17 seconds after Steven Fogarty was whistled for tripping.  Studnicka moved the puck from the right-wing side, and Peter Cehlarik deflected it to Gaunce, who sent a low shot past Wolf Pack goaltender J-F Berube (23 saves).

The Pack would pull Berube in the dying minutes to try to get the equalizer but to no avail. “They can’t all go our way,” said Knoblauch.  “We gave ourselves an opportunity to get it to overtime at least, but we couldn’t make it happen.”

The loss dropped the Wolf Pack (31-16-6-5, 73 pts.) into third place in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the 34-18-3-3 (74 pts.) Bruins, who extended a winning streak to eight games.

The Wolf Pack’s next action is back at the XL Center this Friday, March 6, a 7:15 tilt vs. the division-leading Hershey Bears.  All Friday-night Wolf Pack home games feature $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest.

Tickets for all 2019-20 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (860) 722-9425.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $3 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 (860) 722-9425, or click here to request more info.  To visit the Wolf Pack online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com.

Providence Bruins 3 at Hartford Wolf Pack 2
Sunday, March 1, 2020 – XL Center

Providence 2 0 1 – 3
Hartford     0 2 0 – 2

1st Period-1, Providence, Steen 7 (Frederic, Didier), 8:19 (SH). 2, Providence, Studnicka 22 (Hughes), 11:32. Penalties-Gaunce Pro (hooking), 5:09; Senyshyn Pro (slashing), 7:22.

2nd Period-3, Hartford, Hajek 1 (Lettieri), 8:04. 4, Hartford, Gettinger 16 (Newell, LoVerde), 14:05. Penalties-Woods Pro (fighting), 6:18; Ebert Hfd (fighting), 6:18; LoVerde Hfd (hooking), 10:04; Lauko Pro (roughing), 17:52; Ebert Hfd (roughing), 17:52.

3rd Period-5, Providence, Gaunce 17 (Cehlarik, Studnicka), 2:40 (PP). Penalties-Fogarty Hfd (tripping), 2:23; Petrovic Pro (fighting), 3:48; Beleskey Hfd (fighting), 3:48.

Shots on Goal-Providence 10-7-9-26. Hartford 3-7-13-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Providence 1 / 2; Hartford 0 / 2.
Goalies-Providence, Lagace 21-7-3 (23 shots-21 saves). Hartford, Berube 13-14-4 (26 shots-23 saves).
A-5,100
Referees-Corey Syvret (42), Guillaume Labonte (35).
Linesmen-Mike Baker (11), Derek Wahl (46).