Hartford Wolf Pack eliminated from AHL playoff contention; Strong pro debut for Callum Tung
There won’t be a third straight season in the Calder Cup Playoffs for the Hartford Wolf Pack. Currently on a four-game skid (0-2-2), the New York Rangers AHL affiliate was eliminated from playoff contention with a 2-1 loss to Hershey on Sunday.
It’s frustrating for the Rangers, who likely won’t make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. They could’ve sent younger players like Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann, Matt Rempe and Brett Berard to Hartford to play in the AHL playoffs had the Wolf Pack made it. Now, those younger players won’t be getting any valuable postseason experience at either the NHL or AHL level.
The seventh-place Wolf Pack (27-31-7-2, 63 points) qualified for the AHL playoffs twice since 2015.
Related: Gabe Perreault makes highly anticipated NHL debut with Rangers
Hartford Wolf Pack news-n-notes
Casey Fitzgerald – Photo courtesy of Hartford Wolf Pack
Callum Tung’s strong professional debut
Signed by the Wolf Pack to an Amateur Tryout (ATO), Callum Tung debuted on Sunday against Hershey. The 21-year-old goalie stopped 14 of 16 shots and had a couple of highlight-reel saves. In fact, he held Hershey off the scoreboard until the third period, when the Bears scored twice in a 1:35 to span to flip a 1-0 Hartford lead into a 2-1 deficit.
Prior signing an entry-level contract as a free agent with the Rangers and then ATO with the Wolf Pack, Tung played one season at the University of Connecticut. He recorded 10 wins, four losses, and one tie, and had a 2.01 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage. Tung appeared in UConn’s first NCAA Tournament appearance, winning 4-1 against Quinnipiac, before dropping a 3-2 overtime loss to Penn State.
Connor Mackey provides stability on blue line
Reliable on multiple fronts, Connor Mackey is having a steady season with Hartford. The 28-year-old defenseman has 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in 61 games, second among Hartford d-men in points, goals, and assists. Furthermore, he has eight points (two goals, six assists) in the past 13 games. Mackey also registered 24 shots in this span and is third among defenseman in shots (90).
Defensively, Mackey leads the defense corps in penalty minutes (83) and is one of four defensemen (active) with a plus rating (+2). He adds grit, an edge and experience to an ever-changing Wolf Pack blue line.
Re-signed by the Rangers in March 2024 to a two-year deal, Mackey will return next season to battle for a depth defense spot in the NHL and, more likely, play a key veteran role with Hartford.
Casey Fitzgerald nears career high
Though limited to 62 games because of injury, Casey Fitzgerald is two points shy of tying his career high of 21 points. The Wolf Pack captain recorded a point in back-to-back games (one goal, one assist) last weekend, and has 19 points (five goals, 14 assists). The 28-year-old defenseman had his highest point total last season with Charlotte. Fitzgerald’s five goals are a new professional high.
Signed by the Rangers to a two-year deal in July 2024, the 28-year-old is expected to return to Hartford next season. Fitzgerald has an opportunity to improve on defense as he is a minus-7 (second worst in defense corps). In the previous year, he had a career best of plus-22.
Upcoming Games
All games can be watched on AHLTV and listened on Mixlr.
Wednesday, April 9 vs Bridgeport Islanders (New York) at 7pm, Total Mortgage Arena
- This is the eighth of 10 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 5-2-0-0.
- Bridgeport is 15-45-4-3 for 37 points. They are eighth in the Atlantic Division and 15th in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders lost two straight and are 3-7-0-0 in their past 10 games.
- Chris Terry leads the Islanders with 64 points (19 goals, 45 assists) and is fourth in the AHL scoring race. Next is Brian Pinho with 46 points (24 goals, 22 assists).
Friday, April 11 vs Providence Bruins (Boston) at 7pm, XL Center
- This is the final meeting in the 10-game series. Hartford is 3-6-0-0.
- Providence is 37-23-5-3 for 82 points. They are tied for third in the Atlantic Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference (with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton).
- Georgii Merkulov leads the Bruins with 54 points (15 goals, 39 assists) and is tied for 19th in the AHL. Next is former Wolf Pack forward Tyler Pitlick with 44 points (20 goals, 24 assists).
Saturday, April 12 vs Bridgeport Islanders (New York) at 7pm, Total Mortgage Arena
- This is the ninth of 10 meetings, and the final meeting in Bridgeport.
- Hartford is 9-18-6-1 on the road.
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