Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Dylan Garand eyes 20th win; Dylan Roobroeck ignites 4th line
The Hartford Wolf Pack are rolling, on a three-game winning streak after a pair of vistories this past weekend.
The New York Rangers AHL affiliate defeated Hershey 4-3 on Friday, which included Noah Laba’s first professional goal. They concluded the weekend with a 2-1 overtime win against Milwaukee on Saturday.
The seventh-place Wolf Pack (27-29-5-2, 61 points) are five points behind sixth-place Springfield for the final playoff spot in the American Hockey League’s Atlantic Division. Late season heroics must continue if the Wolf Pack want to get into the playoffs. They have no room for error with nine games remaining.
Related: Jackson Dorrington signs with Rangers, headed to play with Hartford
Hartford Wolf Pack news-n-notes
Dylan Garand – Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Dylan Garand one away from 20th win
Dylan Garand has won his past three starts, stopping 79 of 85 shots, and is now one shy of 20 wins on the season. His 19 victories are already a career high, topping 16 last season, and are tied for eighth most in the AHL. Key for the 22-year-old goalie is how consistent he’s been this season after mixed results his first two seasons in pro hockey.
Garand is 19-8-6 with a 2.70 goals against average and a .914 save percentage, which is tied ninth in the AHL. He’s been a busy goaltender, logging 2025:54 TOI (11th most) and faced 1,064 shots (seventh most).
Wolf Pack’s 4th-line success led by Dylan Roobroeck
Featuring Dylan Roobroeck, Bryce McConnell-Barker, and Blade Jenkins, Hartford’s new fourth line had an impactful weekend. They produced nine points (three goals, six assists) in two games. As a result, coach Grant Potulny rewarded the line with consistent ice time and an opportunity to start the game Saturday. They recorded seven shots and were a key cog offensively.
Leading the charge was Roobroeck, who recorded three points (two goals, assist) against Hershey. He also had an assist against Milwaukee. Roobroeck has six points (four goals, two assists) in the past three games. The towering forward (6-foot-7) is tied for third on Hartford with 15 goals and is fourth with 28 points.
Roobroeck helped spark McConnell-Barker, who recorded a point in consecutive games (one goal, one assist) after being held off the score sheet in five straight. Jenkins was pointless in four straight before recording three assists in the two weekend games.
Defensively, the line was sound as each forward was plus-2 Friday and plus-1 on Saturday.
Injury updates
After missing three games due to injury, Nicolas Aube-Kubel returned this past weekend with a bang. The veteran was back in the lineup Friday, and then the next night scored the overtime game-winner against Milwaukee, his first goal since arriving in a trade before the NHL deadline from the Buffalo Sabres.
However, Hartford is without captain Casey Fitzgerald and goalie Louis Domingue. Each was out Saturday with an undisclosed injury and are day to day.
Jackson Dorrington joins Wolf Pack on ATO
Acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in the J.T. Miller trade on Jan. 31, the 20-year old defenseman signed an entry level contract with the Rangers beginning in the 2025-26 season. He will join the Wolf Pack through an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO).
A sixth round pick (No. 176 overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, Dorrington spent three seasons with Northeastern University in Hockey East. He recorded 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) and was ninth in the nation with 73 blocked shots in 37 games this season.
Upcoming Games
All games can be watched on AHLTV and listened on Mixlr.
Wednesday, March 26 vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) at 7:05pm, Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza (CHECK)
- This is the sixth and final meeting in the season series. Hartford is winless (0-5-0-0).
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is 35-18-7-1 for 78 points. They are second in the Atlantic Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins are 6-4-0-0 in their past 10 games.
- Ville Koivunen leads the Penguins with 54 points (20 goals, 34 assists), tied for seventh in the AHL. Next is Boris Katchouck with 48 points (21 goals, 27 assists).
Saturday, March 29 vs Providence Bruins (Boston) at 7:05pm, Amica Mutual Pavilion
- This is the ninth of 10 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 3-5-0-0.
- Providence is 35-19-4-3 for 77 points. They are third in the Atlantic Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins are on a four game point streak (3-0-0-1) and 6-2-0-2 in their past 10 games.
- Georgi Merkulov leads the Bruins with 51 points (14 goals, 37 assists) and is tied for 16th in the AHL. Next is former Wolf Pack forward Tyler Pitlick with 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists).
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