Game Preview
Mar 30, 2018
Game Day Info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Puck Drop: Friday, March 30 at 7:15 p.m.
Game Preview:
The Wolf Pack have won the last two games between themselves and the Penguins and are 3-1-0-1 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on the season. That includes wins in both of the Penguins’ earlier visits to Hartford, 7-3 on December 15 and 1-0 in overtime January 21. The 39-20-6-2 (86 pts., .642) Penguins finished last week 2-3-2-0 in their last seven games, but are coming off a 5-2 win on Wednesday over the Providence Bruins.
Last Time Out:
The Wolf Pack are coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Springfield Thunderbirds on Wednesday at the XL Center. Vinni Lettieri, Brandon Crawley and Adam Tambellini scored in regulation time, while Scott Kosmachuk scored the only shootout goal. Alexandar Georgiev was in net, fresh off a New York Rangers stint that saw him became the first goaltender in Rangers history to make 30 or more saves in each of his first five NHL starts.
Thus far, the Pack are 31-30-5-3 on the season with a .507 win percentage, placing them sixth in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division with 70 points from 69 games played. The Pack sit behind the fifth place Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who have collected 74 points from 67 games played for a 0.552 win percentage. Following the first place Lehigh Valley Phantoms, who have clinched a playoff spot, the Penguins, Providence Bruins and Charlotte Checkers hold the remaining playoff positions.
Players to Watch:
#17 Scott Kosmachuk
Scott Kosmachuk has provided the Wolf Pack 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points in 68 games. Kosmachuk is second on the team in points and is tied for second in goals. The right wing is playing in his fourth season of pro hockey, as he spent his first three years with the Winnipeg Jets organization. With the Manitoba Moose, the Toronto native scored 11 goals and registered 17 assists in the 2016-17 season.
#11 Daniel Sprong
Daniel Sprong currently leads Wilkes-Barre Scranton in points and goals, with 26 goals and 27 assists for 53 points in 56 games. The right wing is no stranger to offensive production, as he scored five goals and tallied two assists in 10 games in the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs. Sprong has played in 26 NHL games and was a 2015 second round draft selection at 46th overall for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Coming Up Next:
The Pack will be back home at the XL Center tomorrow to face the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7 p.m. The first 1,000 fans 12-years-old and under will receive a youth Wolf Pack jersey, presented by KeyBank. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.