Game Preview
Nov 18, 2017
Game Day Info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Utica Comets
Puck Drop: Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
Game Preview:
Tonight’s matchup opens a four-game series between the Wolf Pack and the Comets, and is the Pack’s first of two trips to Utica. The Wolf Pack were 1-2-1-0 in last year’s season series, with an overtime loss and a regulation defeat to show for two road games vs. the Comets.
The Comets sit in fifth place in the North Division, one spot behind the Belleville Senators, with an 6-7-0-1 record. The Comets have 38 goals for and 47 against thus far in the season. Utica dropped both ends of a two-game series at home vs. the Charlotte Checkers last week, falling by identical 5-2 scores Wednesday and Friday at the Adirondack Bank Center.
Last Time Out:
Last night, the Wolf Pack played to 4-2 loss to the Rochester Americans in New York. The loss was the first in regulation in five games for the Wolf Pack, who had been 2-0-2-0 in their previous four games. Ryan Sproul had his first Wolf Pack goal, and added an assist, and fellow defenseman John Gilmour also scored for Hartford.
Thus far, the Pack are 6-8-2-1 on the season, which places them seventh in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division, one spot ahead of the Springfield Thunderbirds. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins currently lead the division with a 11-2-0-1 record, while the Charlotte Checkers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms fall close behind in the tight race.
Players to Watch:
#7 Adam Tambellini
In 14 games played, Adam Tambellini has scored five goals and notched one assist for a total of six points. The third-year left wing seems to be improving on his successful sophomore campaign, where he finished fourth on Wolf Pack club in points (35), assists (22) and shots on goal (131).
#77 Nikolay Goldobin
Nikolay Goldobin has six goals and 10 assists in 14 games for a team-leading 16 points. The right wing spent part of last season with the San Jose Barracuda, where he scored 15 goals and added 26 assists for 41 points in 46 games played. The 22-year-old has appeared in 23 NHL games split between the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks, where he scored four goals and notched an assist. The Moscow native was drafted by the Sharks in the first round of the 2014 NHL draft at 27th overall.
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.