Pack Sink Pirates, 4-1, for seventh Straight Win
Jan 24, 2016
By Chuck Packard
Ryan Graves and Luke Adam had a goal and an assist apiece Sunday at the XL Center, to lead the Wolf Pack to their seventh straight victory, a 4-1 win over the Portland Pirates.
Jayson Megna had the game-winning goal for Hartford, and Nicklas Jensen also scored. Magnus Hellberg made 30 saves in his seventh consecutive start. Portland’s Michael Matheson scored the Pirates’ only goal, and Sam Brittain made 23 saves in the loss.
The first goal of the game was scored five minutes in by Jensen. He punched the puck in off a rebound, assisted by Marek Hrivik and Graves.
Graves said of the team’s communication, “When you’re playing good hockey, communication is always part of it, especially on the back end. You want to be talking to your partner, and we’ve been doing that.”
Fifty-three seconds into the second period, Megna scored his eighth goal of the season and the eventual game-winner, assisted by Adam.
Two of the game’s three penalties occurred within a minute of each other during the second period, both on Portland. John McFarland was called for goaltender interference at 1:11, and Wade Megan was called for hooking at 2:27, but no goals came out of the 5-on-3.
Adam had this to say on the win streak, “It’s no secret that a confident team is a good team. We’re going in the right direction right now and we’re going to continue to do that.”
The Wolf Pack continued their second-period attack with two more goals. The first was at 4:30, scored by Graves, assisted by Ryan Bourque and Brady Skjei. The second was scored by Adam 2:10 later. He was assisted by Tyler Brown.
Portland finally struck back late in the second, when Matheson snuck one by Hellberg at 14:42, unassisted.
“I guess the wolves are hungry right now” Hellberg said of the Pack’s recent play.
Next up for the Wolf Pack is a visit to Wilkes-Barre, PA this Wednesday, January 27, for a 7:05 PM game against the Atlantic Division-leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. All of the action can be heard live on News Radio 1410 WPOP, and on-line at www.newsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.
The next home game for the Wolf Pack is this Friday, January 29, with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers visiting the XL Center for a 7:15 PM game. At all Friday-night Wolf Pack home games, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers, through the start of the second period. This Friday also begins “Hartford Hockey Heritage Weekend” at the XL Center, as the Wolf Pack salutes over four decades of hockey history in Hartford. The first 2,000 fans into the game Friday will take home a free Wolf Pack trading card set, presented by Qdoba Mexican Grill.
Tickets for all 2015-16 Wolf Pack home games are on sale at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.
To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.
Portland Pirates 1 at Hartford Wolf Pack 4
Sunday, January 24, 2016 - XL Center
Portland 0 1 0 - 1
Hartford 1 3 0 - 4
1st Period-1, Hartford, Jensen 7 (Hrivik, Graves), 5:00. Penalties-No Penalties
2nd Period-2, Hartford, Megna 8 (Adam), 0:53. 3, Hartford, Graves 4 (Bourque, Skjei), 4:30. 4, Hartford, Adam 7 (Brown), 6:40. 5, Portland, Matheson 4 14:42. Penalties-McFarland Por (goaltender interference), 1:11; Megan Por (hooking), 2:27.
3rd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Megna Hfd (slashing), 11:44.
Shots on Goal-Portland 6-11-14-31. Hartford 12-12-3-27.
Power Play Opportunities-Portland 0 / 1; Hartford 0 / 2.
Goalies-Portland, Brittain 5-7-0 (27 shots-23 saves). Hartford, Hellberg 15-10-0 (31 shots-30 saves).
A-3,207
Referees-Jamie Koharski (84), Geoff Miller (28).
Linesmen-Luke Galvin (2), Kevin Redding (16).