Unleashing the Wolf Pack: A Blazing 4-0 Start to the AHL Season
By Marvin Azrak
Join us as we explore the sensational 4-0 start of the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL as they surge through the season with unmatched vigor and tenacity.
The Hartford Wolf Pack, the New York Rangers AHL affiliate, have started their season in electrifying fashion, racing to an impressive 4-0 record. With thrilling victories under their belts, the Wolf Pack are making waves and setting a scorching pace as they aim to conquer the league.
Wolf Pack rout the Penguins:
The game started slowly, with neither team finding the back of the net for the first period and a half. Then Brett Berard scored his first professional goal that kickstarted an offensive explosion, leading to a 5-0 victory for Hartford over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The Wolf Pack controlled the pace early on, with a couple of powerplay opportunities that the Penguins managed to kill off. Penguins’ goalie Magnus Hellberg was putting up a solid defense, even with the Wolf Pack creating plenty of chances. Tensions were rising, and it all came to a head with not one but two fights in the final minutes of the first period. The XL Center was buzzing with energy!
The second period kicked off with a strong penalty kill by the Pack, followed by numerous close calls at the Penguins’ net. The deadlock finally broke at 10:48 when Brett Berard notched his first professional goal.
It was a remarkable moment as his shot found the back of the net after a bit of a deflection. Jonny Brodzinski added another goal in the period, and it was looking like the Pack’s night.
As the game rolled into the third period, Riley Nash found the back of the net, recording his first goal of the season. In the final minutes, two empty-net goals from Connor Mackey and Adam Edström solidified the Wolf Pack’s well-deserved win.
Louis Domingue was an absolute wall in goal, recording a whopping 35 saves in a remarkable shutout performance. It was his fifth shutout with the Wolf Pack and his eleventh consecutive regular-season start ending in victory.
Game 2: Wolf Pack grinds down Phantoms:
The Wolf Pack hosted the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday. It was a thrilling showdown, and our Wolf Pack had some remarkable moments.
In this game, the Wolf Pack pulled off a fantastic 5-1 win, and it’s turning out to be their best start since the 2004-05 season. But here’s the real kicker – this victory marked the franchise’s 1,000th win! They’re now part of the elite group of teams in league history to reach this incredible milestone.
The Wolf Pack wasted no time, starting with a bang in the first period, registering the first five shots of the game. Brett Berard, who’s been on fire, notched his second goal of the season, sending the puck flying from the right-wing circle past Cal Petersen. They were off to a roaring start!
The game also got aggressive in the first period, with some intense moments leading to several fights.
There were saw power plays on both sides, but the Phantoms put up a decisive penalty kill against our Wolf Pack. But that didn’t stop our team. With just over three minutes left in the first period, Alex Belzile capitalized on a rebound, and we were up by two. Riley Nash and Jonny Brodzinski played a crucial role in that power-play goal.
The middle period saw the Phantoms pushing back with their powerplay opportunities and some impressive saves by our goalie. The Phantoms cut our lead in half, but the Pack held firm.
The real excitement came in the third period. Dylan Garand made some crucial saves, keeping the Phantoms at bay. Then, Nikolas Brouillard scored, creating breathing room for the Wolf Pack. Bobby Trivigno and Jonny Brodzinski also lit the lamp, sealing the deal.
Speaking of captain Brodzinski, he’s on fire, scoring in three consecutive games.
Garand had an outstanding performance, making 32 saves. It was a well-deserved win for our Wolf Pack.
So, Rangers fans, our AHL affiliate is off to an impressive start, and they’re making history. Let’s keep cheering for the Wolf Pack as they continue to dominate.