Hartford Wolf Pack Dominate with Early Surge Against Providence Bruins
In a Sunday showdown at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, the Hartford Wolf Pack set the tone early with a commanding three-goal first period, securing a 5-2 victory over the Providence Bruins. This win marks their second consecutive triumph, showcasing a team finding its rhythm.
The action kicked off with Dylan Garand playing a pivotal role. His sharp pass from the blue line found Trey Fix-Wolansky, who charged down the left wing. Although Michael DiPietro initially blocked Fix-Wolansky's shot, the persistent forward snagged the rebound, netting his team-leading 17th goal just over four minutes in.
Case McCarthy, making his mark with his first AHL point of the season, launched a shot that created chaos in front of the net. Amidst the scramble, Dylan Roobroeck displayed his finesse by batting the puck mid-air for his ninth goal, extending the lead to 2-0.
Not long after, Brandon Scanlin's shot from the point slipped through traffic, adding to the Wolf Pack's advantage. With assists from Fix-Wolansky and Roobroeck, both players wrapped up a productive period with two points each.
The momentum carried into the second period, as the Wolf Pack quickly capitalized on a Bruins turnover. Roobroeck's shot was deflected, but Adam Sýkora was there to clean up, sweeping in his eighth goal of the season and pushing the lead to 4-0.
The Bruins, however, weren't going down quietly. Less than two minutes later, Riley Duran's gritty play along the boards set up Patrick Brown, who fired a quick shot past Garand, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
Providence continued to battle in the third period, with Victor Söderström narrowing the gap to 4-2 with a well-placed shot from the point. Yet, Garand remained resolute, shutting the door on further comeback attempts.
The final nail in the coffin came from Fix-Wolansky once more. On the power play, he unleashed a powerful shot from the right-wing circle, sealing the game with his 18th goal and completing a stellar three-point night.
Looking ahead, the Wolf Pack are gearing up for a back-to-back set in Allentown, PA, against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The action kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 7:05 p.m. Fans can tune into ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ on AHLTV on FloHockey and Mixlr.
The team will return to the newly renovated PeoplesBank Arena on Wednesday, Mar. 4, for a rematch with the Bruins. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m., with pregame coverage starting at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are available for those eager to catch the action live.
About the Hartford Wolf Pack: A cornerstone of the AHL since 1997, the Hartford Wolf Pack serves as the top development affiliate for the NHL's New York Rangers. Known for nurturing talent, the franchise has been home to rising stars like Igor Shesterkin and Will Cuylle. Follow the Wolf Pack on social media for updates and insights.