Game Preview
Oct 22, 2017Game day info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Puck Drop: Sunday, Oct. 22 at 3 p.m.
Game Preview:
The Wolf Pack are on the road at Webster Bank Arena to take on the Sound Tigers in the first matchup of the season between the two teams. Today’s game will be the first of five visits to play the Sound Tigers on their home ice in the 2017-18 season, with the remaining five matchups between the two set for the XL Center.
Last season, the Pack were 2-4-1-1- in eight games against the in-state rival. A division rival, the Sound Tigers currently sit in seventh place in the Atlantic Division with a 1-4-0-0 record with 13 goals for and 19 against. The hockey club has played to four losses, which came at the hands of the Laval Rocket, Charlotte Checkers, Binghamton Devils and Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The sole win of the Sound Tigers came in the form of a 5-3 win over the Checkers on Oct. 13.
Last Time Out:
Last night, the Wolf Pack played to a 3-2 shootout loss to the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins at the Mohegan Sun Arena. A quick 2-0 lead for the Wolf Pack in the first period didn’t last, as the Penguins found a way to score in the first and second period. Despite their efforts, the Pack’s three shootout attempts were eventually all stopped in net by Penguins goaltender, Casey DeSmith. One positive note is that the Wolf Pack converted on two power plays in the game, with goals from Scott Kosmachuk and Vinni Lettieri. Kosmachuk now has a team-leading six points.
Thus far, the Wolf Pack are 3-2-0-1 on the season, which places them at fifth in the Atlantic Division, two spots ahead of the Sound Tigers. The Providence Bruins currently lead the division with a 4-1-0-0 record, while the Checkers and Phantoms fall close behind in the tight race. Though Hartford sits in fifth place with seven points, the division-leading Bruins only have a one-point advantage, with eight.
Players to Watch:
#95 Vinni Lettieri
In 5 games played, Vinni Lettieri has scored two goals and notched one assist for a total of three points. The rookie center comes to Hartford from the University of Minnesota, where helped Minnesota capture four-straight Big Ten regular-season championships as well as the 2015 Big Ten Tournament title.
# 20 Scott Eansor
Scott Eansor currently leads Bridgeport with six goals in five games. The rookie center is new to the Sound Tigers, as he spent the previous four seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He recorded 38 points (18 goals, 20 assists) in 40 games last season and ranked second on the Thunderbirds in short-handed goals (three) and fourth in game-winning goals (four), while serving as team captain.
Coming Up Next:
The Pack will be back at the XL Center next Friday, Oct. 27 at 7:15 p.m. for a Howl-O-Ween game against the Tigers. Fans can expect trick-or-treating on the concourse and a costume parade, as well as other in-game elements. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.