Danis Stops 34, but Pack Lose in Shootout
Mar 21, 2015(Photo by Chris Marion)
Yann Danis made 34 saves for the Wolf Pack Saturday night at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA, but it wasn’t enough, as the Springfield Falcons pulled out a 2-1 shootout win.
Michael Chaput scored the only goal of what turned out to be a four-round shootout, and Falcon goaltender Scott Munroe stopped all four Wolf Pack shootout attempts, after making 15 saves in regulation and overtime.
Oscar Lindberg scored the only Wolf Pack goal in regulation, and Ryan Craig had the Falcon goal. The shootout defeat ended a four-game winning streak for the Wolf Pack, who are now 34-21-5-4 for 77 points remain in sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Wolf Pack were outshot 11-5 in a scoreless first period, despite having 1:20 of two-man advantage to work with early on in the session. Will Weber got an extra penalty off of a tussle with Joey Crabb at 3:28, and Luke Adam was called for delay of game for shooting the puck over the glass at 4:09, but the Wolf Pack failed to generate any scoring chances on the long 5-on-3.
Springfield enjoyed a big shots advantage in the second as well, 14-7, but the two clubs traded goals in the period.
Lindberg gave the Wolf Pack the game’s first lead at 2:14, with his 21st goal of the season. Lindberg took a pass from Joey Crabb and moved down right wing in the Falcon zone, before firing a shot across the grain and into the net past the stick side of Munroe. That goal extended a goal-scoring streak for Lindberg to four games, which ties a Wolf Pack season high
That lead lasted until the 12:56 mark, when Craig, the Falcon captain, got Springfield even on a rebound. T.J. Tynan carried the puck into the Wolf Pack zone and pulled up on the left-wing boards, before sending a pass to Hubert Labrie. Danis stopped Labrie’s shot from high in the slot with his right pad, but Craig was able to pick up the carom and lift it in.
Danis held the Falcons off the rest of the way, facing a 10-3 shots deficit in the third. Overtime was scoreless, with the Wolf Pack getting the only shot, and the goaltenders were sharp in the shootout as well.
Munroe denied Danny Kristo, Lindberg, Ryan Haggerty and Michael Kostka, and Tynan, Sean Collins and Brian Gibbons failed to solve Danis on Springfield’s first three attempts. Chaput settled matters for the Falcons, though, on the fourth shot, beating Danis with a backhand-to-forehand move.
The Wolf Pack finish off a three-game weekend Sunday in Albany, taking on the Devils in a 3:00 PM game at the Times Union Center. All of the action of that contest can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1410, and on-line at www.foxsportsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.
The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Friday, March 27, when the Providence Bruins invade the XL Center for a 7:00 game. As at all Friday-night Wolf Pack games, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs an $2 beers through the start of the second period.
Tickets for all 2014-15 Wolf Pack home games are now 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. Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.
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.
Hartford Wolf Pack 1 at Springfield Falcons 2 (SO)
Saturday, March 21, 2015 - MassMutual Center
Hartford 0 1 0 0 - 1
Springfield 0 1 0 0 - 2
1st Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Crabb Hfd (roughing), 3:28; Weber Spr (cross-checking, roughing), 3:28; Adam Spr (delay of game), 4:09; Kostka Hfd (slashing), 7:42; McIlrath Hfd (fighting), 18:08; Cowick Spr (fighting), 18:08; Lindberg Hfd (boarding), 19:26.
2nd Period-1, Hartford, Lindberg 21 (Crabb, Bodie), 2:14. 2, Springfield, Craig 13 (Labrie, Tynan), 12:56. Penalties-Allen Hfd (double minor - high-sticking), 5:09.
3rd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Summers Hfd (holding), 8:53; Gibbons Spr (roughing), 11:15; Vaive Hfd (slashing), 13:20.
OT Period- No Scoring. Penalties-No Penalties
Shootout - Hartford 0 (Kristo NG, Lindberg NG, Haggerty NG, Kostka NG), Springfield 1 (Tynan NG, Collins NG, Gibbons NG, Chaput G).
Shots on Goal-Hartford 5-7-3-1-0-16. Springfield 11-14-10-0-1-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 3; Springfield 0 / 6.
Goalies-Hartford, Danis 12-12-2 (35 shots-34 saves). Springfield, Munroe 7-9-0 (16 shots-15 saves).
A-4,197
Referees-T.J. Luxmore (49), Keith Kaval (40).
Linesmen-Mike Baker (11), Frank Murphy (29).