Wolf Pack Weekly: Playoff Chances Dead
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The Wolf Pack were officially eliminated from contention of the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs last Saturday night as the club was dismantled by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 5-1. The club now has five games remaining, with them now meaningless. The Pack have hit a two game skid entering the final two weeks of the American Hockey League Season.
Weekend Struggles
The Pack suffered 4-3 overtime loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Friday night. On Saturday the club suffered a 5-1 defeat against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
As seen earlier in the season, the Packs defensive struggles bit them once again. Another common theme is not being able to beat rivals or teams close in the standings to Hartford. For instance, Bridgeport was ahead of Hartford by three points prior to the game Saturday. The Pack was exposed with getting scored on short-handed or on Bridgeport’s power play. The Pack finished a ten game season series going 3-6-1. Hartford is 4-5-1-1 against Springfield. If the Pack did better in at least those series, the Pack would be in a better spot.
Between slumps and the continual roster changes, Hartford did their best to stay in the playoff race. They began to fall and could not recover beginning in February.
Quick Hits
- Cole Schenider’s point streak ended on Saturday. The forward was on a seven game point streak. In that span, he recorded two goals and eight assists for ten points.
- The power play continues to be near top of the league. The Pack are now 11th in the league for their power play, operating at 18.4%.
- The penalty kill continues to be strong as well. Hartford is eighth in the league for killing penalties with a rate of 84%.
- Ty Ronning is expected to join Hartford since his team was eliminated from the playoffs recently.
Upcoming Games
Friday, April 6th vs Providence Bruins (Boston) at 7:05 pm, Dunkin’ Donuts Center
- The final meeting in the ten game season series with Providence. Hartford is 4-3-1-1 entering the game.
- The Bruins are slumping as of late, going 5-5 in their last ten games. Charlotte is a point ahead of Providence. However, the Bruins are in third and Charlotte is in fourth due to the standings ranked in point percentage. The Bruins played two less games than Charlotte.
Saturday, April 7th vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia) at 7:00 pm, XL Center
- The Pack finish a six game season series against the Phantoms. Hartford is 5-0 in the season series.
- The Phantoms is the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. The Phantoms enter the weekend losing two straight, going 5-3-1-1 in the last ten.
Sunday, April 8th vs Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida)
- Another season series that ends. Hartford is 4-5-1-1 in the twelve game series.
- Springfield is 2-6-1-1 in their last ten games. Hartford is ahead of Springfield by four points.
- The Pack are 3-2 against the Thunderbirds at home.
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