Wolf Pack have One Streak Snapped as Another One Continues

By: Ryan Kelsey

The Hartford Wolf Pack returned to action where they hosted the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a hard-hitting, defensive battle at the XL Center.

The game started off with intensity as both teams played solid defense with each team checking the opposing players into the boards. There was a sense of urgency for both teams as there was a lot of passing in order to avoid contact from the defensemen. With solid play from both defenses, both the Wolf Pack and the Penguins only allowed seven shots on goal each in the first period. Both teams had multiple opportunities to score goals early like Wolf Pack right wing, Vinni Lettieri who had a chance to score a goal six minutes into the first period but sent the puck wide right.  

However, it was Pierre-Olivier Joseph of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins who scored the game’s first goal (his second goal of the season) with just 1.6 seconds remaining in the first period. Thanks to assists by Myles Powell, and Kevin Roy, the Penguins were able to capitalize on the opportunity and took an early 1-0 lead heading into the second period. It was goalie Adam Huska from the Hartford Wolf Pack who allowed the goal. Thus far this season, Adam Huska has allowed just 3.16 goals a game.

The Wolf Pack wasted no time coming back from the break as left wing Ryan Dmowski scored a goal on an assist by Vincent LoVerde, and Shawn McBride on a slap shot from the blue line. The goal came just 2.08 minutes into the second period, and it was Ryan Dmowki’s third goal of the season. 

With the game tied 1-1, both teams continued to have opportunities to take the lead and the Wolf Pack had the first power play opportunity after a Delay of Game call on Penguins Jake Lucchini but the Pack failed to capitalize. Later on in the second period, the Wolf Pack had another chance to take the lead but Joey Keane tried to get fancy with the Penguins goalie, Casey DeSmith by attempting to juke him out, but in the process Keane shot the puck wide.

Although it seemed as if the Wolf Pack would eventually take the lead sometime in the second period as the Pack had multiple scoring opportunities, that time never came as the Penguins defense was able to shut the Wolf Pack and their offense down for the rest of the game. 

Instead, it was Pierre-Olivier Joseph who scored his second goal of the game, and that was all that was needed as the goal put the Penguins ahead for good, 2-1. Pierre-Olivier Joseph had scored just one goal this season coming into tonight’s game, but after putting the Penguins back in the lead, Joseph now has three goals for the season.

With tonight’s loss the Hartford Wolf Pack will see their 12-consecutive home win streak shattered, and instead will continue a streak that the Wolf Pack surely do not want to continue at this point in the season; having a streak of three losses in a row. Not only will this be the Wolf Pack’s third consecutive loss, but this will also ensure that the Hershey Bears will remain in first place of the Atlantic Division as the playoffs near.

The Hartford Wolf Pack look to snap their three-game losing streak when they play Laval Rocket on Valentine’s Day at the XL Center.