Wolf Pack Win One on the Road

The Hartford Wolf Pack scored twice in the first period and once in the
third and came away from Rochester with a 3-1 win over the Amercks.

Rochester, NY—Nicklas Jensen scored twice, and Brandon Halverson made 31 saves to lead the Hartford Wolf Pack to a 3-1 road win over the Rochester Americans 3-1 before 4,781 fans at the Blue Cross Arena on Wednesday night. Matt Carey also scored, and John Gilmour picked up two assists for the Wolf Pack, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Cole Schneider scored the only Rochester goal.

“Great team effort for the win,” Jensen said. “I think we controlled most of the game. They had 10, 15 minutes in the second period when they had some chances and had some [offensive] zone time, but in the long run I think we played a really solid game, solid defense. We boxed out really well, stuff we talked about before the game, and even if they had o-zone time, it was on the outside. We’re really happy about how we played defensively, and that’s what transferred into our offense tonight.”

The Wolf Pack dominated the first period, jumping out to a 2-0 lead and holding an 11-3 shots advantage over the Americans, who didn’t get their second shot of the period until the 17:22 mark. Hartford opened the game with a goal by Jensen on the first shift, just 30 seconds into the contest. Gilmour made a strong rush down the left side and unloaded a shot that went off the side of the net. The puck caromed off of the end boards and right to Jensen at the right side of the goal mouth, and Jensen flicked it into the net past Americans goaltender John Muse (26 saves).

The Pack doubled their margin at the 12-minute mark while on the power play. With Rochester’s Eric Cornel off for tripping. Gilmour set Ryan Graves up for a one-timer from the right point, and Carey deflected it into the net for what would ultimately prove to be the game-winning goal.

After a scoreless middle frame, the Wolf Pack were out-shot 18-10 in the third, but battled the Amercks to a standoff. Jensen’s second of the game upped the Pack’s lead to 3-0 at 2:53, as Jensen and Pavel Buchnevich broke on a 2-on-1, with Buchnevich feeding Jensen at the right circle for the finish.

The Wolf Pack now head to St. John’s, Newfoundland, where they will play back-to-back games against the IceCaps Friday and Saturday nights. Faceoff is at 6 p.m. ET for both games, and all of the action can be heard live on News Radio 1410 WPOP, on-line at www.newsradio1410.com and on iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

Schneider, the former UConn star, foiled Halverson’s shutout bid on the power play at 6:47. With Jensen in the penalty box for slashing. Halverson stopped a shot from the top of the slot by Evan Rodrigues, but the rebound slid just away from him, and Schneider pushed the loose puck into the net.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Fri., Jan. 20 vs. the Toronto Marlies at 7:15. As at all Friday-night home games, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period. In addition, the first 2,000 fans through the turnstiles will receive a Wolf Pack 20th anniversary poster, compliments of Bud Light as part of the Wolf Pack’s Hartford Hockey Heritage Weekend.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2016-17 home games are on sale now at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Season ticket information for the Wolf Pack’s 2016-17 AHL season can be found on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com. For information on all Wolf Pack ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451.

 —Staff Reports