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Wolf Pack surge to Atlantic Division finals as Knoblauch rumors swirl

By Marvin Azrak

MISSISSAUGA, ON - NOVEMBER 27: Coach Kris Knoblauch of the Erie Otters gets an explanation of a call for the referee during OHL game action on November 27, 2015 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
MISSISSAUGA, ON - NOVEMBER 27: Coach Kris Knoblauch of the Erie Otters gets an explanation of a call for the referee during OHL game action on November 27, 2015 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /
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The second-seeded Bears(44-19-9, 97 points) finished a point back of Providence for the division’s and conference’s top seed. Hershey’s strong forecheck and aggressive defensive game prevent odd-man rushes and limits opponents’ time in their defensive zone.

Offensively for the Bears, veteran Sam Anas, 29, is the one to watch out for. Anas played in 41 games and had 13 goals and 21 points but missed the middle of the season due to injury. In their division semifinal series victory over the Charlotte Checkers(Florida Panthers affiliate), he had 6 points (2 goals, four assists) in 4 games.

If healthy, Ethen Frank will cause havoc for Hartford with his speed. Frank had a rookie-best 30 goals and 19 assists for 49 points, which ranked him fourth amongst his fellow first-timers in 57 games. But in game four against the Checkers, Frenk left the game due to injury and is set to miss at least the beginning of this series.

Mike Sgarbossa and Mike Vecchione are Hersehy’s point leaders. Sgarbossa, 30, is in his 11th AHL season and has 65 games of NHL experience with the Avalanche, Ducks, Panthers, and Capitals in that span. This season, the center had 21 goals and a team-leading 58 points.

Closely behind him is Vecchione, 30, amid a career year in his seventh AHL season. The winger compiled 23 goals and 55 points in 68 regular season games and was particularly dominant against Hartford with two goals and six assists in the six-game season series.

It’ll be important for Garand to sharp early, as the Wolf Pack will be without Adam Clendenning, who was suspended for three games and will miss the series’s first two tilts in Hershey. The suspension came following a hit on Fabian Lysell, who didn’t play for Providence in game four.

Defensively, Hartford must be ready to embrace the wrath of Calder Cup champion Dylan McIlrath.
Mcllrath was a Ranger from 2014-2017, recording four points in 38 games. When with Hartford in that span, he had 12 goals and 34 points in 139 games.  Mcllrath has taken rookie Vincent Lorio under his wing, and the 20-year-old has responded with 22 points in 63 games this season, using his 6’3 201IBS frame to his advantage.

Between the pipes for the Bears will be Hunter Shepard, who went 3-0 against the Wolf Pack in the regular season. He went 20-8 on the year with a 2.18 GAA and a .916 save percentage.
Behind him is Zach Fucale, who went 1-2 against Hartford in the regular season and ended the regular season with a record of 21-11-4, a 2.54 GAA, and a .902 save percentage.

The full Atlantic Division Finals series schedule is as follows:

Game 1: Thursday, May 11th, @ Hershey (Giant Center, 7:00 p.m.)

 Game 2: Saturday, May 13th, @ Hershey (Giant Center, 7:00 p.m.)

 Game 3: Wednesday, May 17th, @ Hartford (XL Center, 7:00 p.m.)

 Game 4*: Friday, May 19th, @ Hartford (XL Center, 7:00 p.m.)

 Game 5*: Tuesday, May 23rd, @ Hershey (Giant Center, 7:00 p.m.)

 *If necessary 

Watch the games live on AHLTV and listen for free on Mixlr

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information.

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