Game Preview

Mar 18, 2018

Game Day Info:

Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Rochester Americans

Puck Drop: Sunday, March 18 at 5 p.m.

Game Preview:

This is the Wolf Pack’s last of four games on the year against the Americans, and their first non-Atlantic Division game since a 4-3 shootout win at Syracuse February 9.  The Wolf Pack have won their last two meetings vs. Rochester after a loss in the first, and Hartford was victorious 3-2 in a shootout in the Americans’ only previous trip to the XL Center, December 9.

Last Time Out:

The Wolf Pack played to a 4-1 win against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last night. Cole Schneider, Dan DeSalvo, Steven Fogtary and Vinni Letteiri led the offensive onslaught with their goals, while Chris Nell stood tall in net with 30 saves.   

Thus far, the Pack are 28-29-5-3 on the season with a .492 win percentage, which places them sixth in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division with 64 points from 65 games played. The Pack sit behind the fifth place Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who have collected 70 points from 63 games played for a 0.556 win percentage. Following the first place Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Wilkes/Barre Scranton Penguins, Providence Bruins and Checkers currently hold the remaining playoff positions.

Players to Watch:

#10 Cole Schneider

Cole Schneider will be playing against his former team, the Americans, for the fourth time tonight. In 65 games played, Cole Schneider has scored 15 goals, including one last night, and notched 26 assists for a team-leading 41 points. The left wing is in his first season with the Wolf Pack, but he is no stranger to Connecticut, as he played collegiately for UConn. Schneider led the Rochester Americans last season in points (63), assists (39) and +/- (+9), and tied for fourth on team in PIM (45.)

#19 C.J. Smith

C.J. Smith has 14 goals and 25 assists in 52 games for a second team-high 39 points. The left wing signed a two-year, entry-level NHL contract as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Sabres on March 30, 2017. Smith registered one assist in two games for the Sabres in the 2016-17 season, following the completion of his junior season at UMass-Lowell.

Coming Up Next:

The Pack will be back home at the XL Center next Saturday at 3 p.m. to face the Hershey Bears in the first game of a home-and-home set. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.