Wolf Pack Look to Make History with A Win Against Rival Thunderbirds

By: Ryan Kelsey

The Hartford Wolf Pack and the Springfield Thunderbirds square off for the series finale tonight at 7:00 at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack and Thunderbirds have each won a game in this three game series, and it was the Thunderbirds who beat the Wolf Pack with a final score of 2-0 in the last game.

The Wolf Pack have plenty to be playing for tonight against the Thunderbirds as the Wolf Pack look to keep their top spot in the standings. The Wolf Pack are currently in first place in the Atlantic Division with 61 total points, and a win tonight can help the Wolf Pack gain some much needed separation from the Hershey Bears who also have 61 total points.

In the 2019-2020 season, the Wolf Pack are 3-0-0-0 at home against the Thunderbirds, and last Saturday was the Thunderbirds first win against the Wolf Pack this season.

Remaining undefeated at home against the Thunderbirds will not be an easy task for the Wolf Pack as the Thunderbirds come into tonight’s game having won 10 of the teams last 14 games which has placed the team in fourth place in the Atlantic Division. 

In tonight’s match up, the Thunderbirds will undoubtedly be looking to winger, Dryden Hunt to lead the way. Hunt has scored in both games in this series so far, and adding a goal tonight would make it the fourth straight game where Hunt has scored a goal.

On the other hand, the Wolf Pack are trying to avoid losing back-to-back games against the Thunderbirds but doing so will be difficult especially after the New York Rangers recently recalled forward, Phillip Di Giuseppe on February 2. This is a major blow to the Wolf Pack as Giuseppe has scored 14 goals for the Pack this AHL season, a personal career high, and currently sits in third place in the entire AHL in shots on goal (149). In wake of this news, the New York Rangers reassigned forward, Ty Ronning to the Wolf Pack who last played for the ECHL affiliate, Maine Mariners.   

Heading into tonight’s game, the Hartford Wolf Pack have won 11 consecutive games at home which is tied with the franchise record that was set back in the 2004-2005 season. With a win tonight, the Wolf Pack can set a team record and make team history of having 12 consecutive wins at home.

Tonight’s game should be a game filled with action as both teams are fighting for a spot in the playoffs, and even more, for the Hartford Wolf Pack, a chance to make history.