Phil Di Giuseppe had a goal and an assist, and Adam Huska stopped 26 shots Saturday night at the XL Center, as the Wolf Pack defeated the Utica Comets, 3-1.
Vincent LoVerde scored the game-winning goal for Hartford, and Vinni Lettieri also tallied. Reid Boucher had the only Utica goal.
“I thought it was a more controlled-paced team we were up against tonight,” said Di Giuseppe. “They’re one of, if not the, top-scoring teams in the league. But our defense and goalie played really well tonight, so we definitely deserved the win.”
The Wolf Pack were dominant in the first period, outshooting Utica 16-3 in the first frame. Lettieri opened up the scoring just 4:08 into the game, when he scored his team-leading 13th goal of the year. The goal was somewhat unorthodox, as Lettieri tipped Boo Nieves’ floating shot just over Comet goaltender Michael DiPietro’s (37 saves) shoulder.
“I don’t know if that play was drawn up that way,” joked Di Giuseppe about the goal, “But Nieves is a smart player and Lettieri has amazing hand-eye coordination, so it doesn’t surprise me too much.” Darren Raddysh also assisted on the goal.
Hartford’s lead rose to 2-0 with 12:11 left in the period when LoVerde scored his fourth goal of the season. Danny O’Regan and Di Giuseppe assisted on the goal.
Utica finally got on the board with just 3:56 left in the second period, when Rid Boucher pocked in a rebound to make the score 2-1. Kole Lind had the lone assist. The goal would prove to be Utica’s only marker of the night, as Huska stood tall in frustrating a strong Utica offense.
“The D did a good job keeping things to the sides and reducing rebounds,” Huska said. “That’s all a goalie can ask for.”
With 8:35 left in the final period, Di Giuseppe scored on a breakaway to give Hartford a 3-1 lead. The goal was Di Giuseppe’s 11th of the year, and was assisted by Matt Beleskey and Raddysh.
“I was screaming at Raddysh to pass it, but he must not have seen me or something,” laughed Di Giuseppe, “Luckily Beleskey did, and I was fortunate enough to score.”
Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch said of the play, “That was a heck of a play by Raddysh to get the puck up the ice, and then another great play by Di Giuseppe to score.”
By Micah Collins
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