Wolf Pack Weekly: The Revolving Door; Important Road Trip

John Gilmour

The Wolf Pack keep on rolling! The club has not lost in regulation since January 15th and heads into this week with a record of 24-20-4-3 for 55 points (.539 point percentage). They are sixth in the Atlantic Division, however, they have two more points than fifth place Bridgeport due to the two games in hand the Sound Tigers possess. Charlotte is in fourth and are two points ahead of Hartford with one game in hand. This week is a critical week, with the Pack possibly being able to jump ahead of Charlotte in the standings. Let’s check out the latest happenings.

Date Nights With Charlotte

Hartford plays Charlotte twice, on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Checkers occupy the last playoff spot. Hartford has shown readiness against a tough Charlotte club considering the group swept back to back games in Hartford in the last weekend of January. Hartford won the first game tilt in a shootout while the Pack shutout the Checkers Saturday. In order for this “series” to be a success, Hartford must collect three of four points to leapfrog Charlotte in the standings, especially the one game in hand.

Roster Moves

Hartford has been a revolving door as of late between call-ups, trades, or re-assignments of Greenville players. In a span of two days, Hartford had 12 roster moves. The one that hurts most for the Pack is Alexandar Georgiev being called up to the Rangers. Brandon Halverson played his first game up with Hartford last Saturday and this was his first game in net in over a month. Chris Nell was also recalled from Kansas City in the ECHL.

Despite the additions and losses, the Pack still have a strong roster and they are getting the job done.

One Timers

  • Hartford’s points streak is active at 10 games, and have collected 19 of 20 points. This is the second lengthy point streak the franchise had this season.

  • The two goalies Hartford has are ECHL goalies. Brandon Halverson must step up if he wants to play. He has shown good strides in prior seasons but hasn’t been able to stick in Hartford. Chris Nell can play solid as well. The group has to rely on and help out these goalies for the next two to three weeks.
  • Ryan Sproul has points in three straight. He’s recorded three goals and one assist for four points. In the last six games, he has six goals and two assists for eight points.
  • John Albert and Hubert Labrie debuted on Saturday against their former team, the Hershey Bears ironically. Joe Whitney and Adam Chapie faced Hartford as well on the foe side. All four of the players had no effect on the game.

Upcoming Schedule

Tuesday, February 13th vs Charlotte Checkers (Carolina) at 7:00 pm, Bojangles’ Coliseum

  • The fourth of eight meetings of the season between the clubs.
  • Hartford won the last two meetings at the XL Center, 3-2 in the shootout on January 26th and 4-0 on January 27th.
  • The lone loss was in Hartford on October 6th, opening night by a 5-4 decision.
  • This is the first time Hartford faces Charlotte on the road.
  • Andrew Miller of Charlotte leads the club in most points and the league at 48 points (15 goals, 33 assists) in 50 games.
  • Warren Foegele is the leading rookie on the Checkers roster with 39 points (22 goals, 13 assists) in 48 games.
  • Charlotte is 4-4-0-2 in the last ten games.

Wednesday, February 14th vs Charlotte Checkers (Carolina) at 7:00 pm, Bojangles’ Coliseum

  • The game finishes the back to back games in Charlotte.

Saturday, February 17th vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia) at 7:05 pm, PPL Center

  • The fourth meeting of the season between the clubs.
  • Hartford is 3-0 in the season series against the Phantoms entering the week.  Two of the three games went into overtime.
  • The Phantoms enter the week surging, going 7-2-1 in the last ten games.

Sunday, February 18th vs Bridgeport Sound Tigers (Islanders) at 3:00 pm, Webster Bank Arena

  • The final game in the six-game road trip for Hartford.
  • The ninth of ten meetings against Bridgeport. After Sunday, Hartford plays Bridgeport for the final time on March 31st.
  • Hartford is 3-4-1 in the season series against Bridgeport.
  • Hartford won the last two meetings in the series.

Ricky Milliner is a Hartford Wolf Pack season ticket holder. While growing up, he discovered hockey by attending a... More about Ricky Milliner

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