Game Preview
Nov 15, 2017
Game Day Info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Puck Drop: Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.
Game Preview:
This is the Wolf Pack’s fourth look at their in-state rivals, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The two teams most recently faced off on Saturday night at Webster Bank Arena, where the Wolf Pack picked up a 2-1 win with goals from Joe Whitney and Dan Catenacci. Alexandar Georgiev had a stellar night in net, stifling the Bridgeport offense with 43 saves. After tonight, the Sound Tigers and Wolf Pack will meet six more times throughout the season.
The Sound Tigers sit in seventh place in the Atlantic Division, one spot behind the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Sound Tigers have 39 goals for and 36 against thus far in the season, and have lost their last two games. Prior to the two-game skid, the Bridgeport team had wins in five of its previous six games.
Last Time Out:
On Sunday night, the Wolf Pack played to 3-2 overtime loss to the Laval Rocket at the XL Center. Catenacci had his second goal in two games, while Vinni Lettieri chipped in his team-leading sixth goal of the season. Hartford took three out of four possible points in the standings that weekend.
Thus far, the Pack are 6-7-1-1 on the season, which places them sixth in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division, one spot ahead of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins currently lead the division with a 10-2-0-1 record, while the Phantoms and Checkers fall close behind in the tight race.
Players to Watch:
#55 Ryan Sproul
Ryan Sproul leads Wolf Pack defensemen with eight points in 13 games (1G, 7A.) The Ontario native is no stranger to producing, as he was tied for the Grand Rapids Griffins’ lead in playoff assists in the 2015-16 season, with seven. He also led Grand Rapids defensemen in playoff points, with nine. Sproul was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the 2011 NHL Draft. In 28 NHL games, the 24-year-old produced one goal and six assists.
#11 Tanner Fritz
Tanner Fritz has three goals and nine assists in 11 games, for a team-leading 12 points. The right wing made his AHL debut on February 21st last year, where he notched his first AHL point on his first shift. Fritz went on to play in 63 games for the Sound Tigers last year, with 19 goals and 23 assists.
Coming Up Next:
The Wolf Pack will be back home at the XL Center on Saturday, Nov. 25 for a 7 p.m. faceoff against the Hershey Bears. The first 4,500 fans will receive a red Wolf Pack t-shirt, courtesy of CT-DOT, in honor of the team’s red-out. In addition, it will be Teddy Bear Toss Night. Bring a Teddy Bear to the game and throw it on the ice after the Wolf Pack score their first goal, presented by County Wide Mechanical Services. All stuffed animals will be donated to Operation Elf & Toys for Tots. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.