Hartford, CT, – Wednesday night’s game at the XL Center featured an Atlantic Division matchup between the Hartford Wolf Pack and the Springfield Thunderbirds. This was the fifth meeting out of 12 for these two teams this year. After the two teams had split the first four games, it was Springfield getting the upper hand in the fifth game, 3-1.
Alexandar Georgiev got the start in goal for the Wolf Pack and stopped 16 shots, while Harri Sateri stopped 26 shots for Springfield. Offensively, Gabriel Fontaine scored the lone goal for Hartford, while Maxim Mamin, Jayce Hawryluk, and Ed Wittchow each scored for Springfield.
Although both teams had a start, it was Hartford controlling much of the first period, outshooting their counterparts 13-8. Springfield seemed to take control of the second period, scoring two goals and outshooting the Pack 7-3. However, despite no goals to show for it, Hartford gained back some momentum during the third, as they outshot Springfield 11-4.
“We had success early putting pucks to the net, creating some opportunities,” said Wolf Pack head coach Keith McCambridge. “In the second we felt we got a little away from it, but got back to where we needed to be in the third.”
The Pack struck first, with Fontaine hammering home a rebound at 11:58 of the first period, after Adam Tambellini deflected an Anthony DeAngelo shot on net.
With Hartford holding a 1-0 lead entering the second period, it was Springfield quickly scoring only 31 seconds into the frame. This time it was Alexandre Grenier setting up Mamin, who was wide open to Georgiev’s right side. Mamin slammed home the easy-tap in on the backdoor, and Curtis Valk also assisted on the goal.
Midway through the second period, Springfield struck again. This time it was Hawryluk scooping up the puck off an offensive zone faceoff and ripping a shot just over Georgiev’s blocker at 9:38. Juho Lammikko, who won the draw, was credited with the lone assist.
Similar to the second period, just 3:21 into the third Springfield scored again to make it a two-goal game. Maxime Fortunus’ slap shot from the right point was knocked down in front of the goal, and Wittchow found the loose puck and put it past Georgiev. Blaine Byron also picked up an assist on the goal.
Despite a four-minute power play midway through the period, the Wolf Pack could not cut into Springfield’s lead. With just over two minutes to play, Hartford gave one last push as they pulled Georgiev for an extra attacker. Much like rest of the game, however, their offense got pucks on net but could not beat Sateri.
Despite the team scoring only one goal on the night, McCambridge was happy with the team’s competitiveness. “I thought our compete level was in a good place this evening,” he said, “just not able to claw back in that game.”
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