Wolf Pack and Thunderbirds go the distance in first ever meeting

It was safe to say expectations were not high Wednesday night at the XL Center in front of 1,816. The Wolf Pack limped into their home arena to play their closest rivals, the Springfield Thunderbirds. This is the first ever meeting between the two clubs and it ended up being a memorable one.

The Wolf Pack were able to come back from a 2-0 deficit thanks to some key saves from rookie goalie brandon Halverson.

After a ten game stretch of 1-7-2-0 and losing eight straight the Wolf Pack were insanely desperate for a win. You wouldn't think so through the first period. Poor penalties gave the Thunderbirds a quick and easy 2-0 lead. Both Matt Carey and Nicklas Jensen received penalties 18 seconds apart and the Thunderbirds responded with two quick power play goals that were only 29 seconds apart. The Wolf Pack defensive woes continued and at times the defense looked like they were watching the game instead of playing it.

The game was nearly half over and the Wolf Pack had not mustered much on offense with only eight shots. Nicklas Jensen finally put the Wolf Pack on the board with about five minutes left in the second period. Jensen is the Wolf Pack's most clutch player going back to last season. He tied the game midway through the third period and the teams headed into overtime in a 2-2 tie.

After a couple close calls in the five minute overtime the Wolf Pack found themselves heading to a shoot out. Five shooters failed to score, including a post ringer from Philip McRae's attempt, before Steven Fogarty lit the lamp and gave the Wolf Pack their first victory since October 26.

[First ever meeting for Thunderbirds at XL Center]

Wolf Pack goalie Brandon Halverson was in his second AHL game and first at the XL Center. At times he was the last and only line of defense. He stopped all three shoot out attempts from the Thunderbirds and made 25 saves in the game to earn his first AHL victory.

The Wolf Pack will play Binghamton this Saturday on the road before they come home to play the Providence Bruins at 5:00pm on Sunday. You can get tickets by contacting the Wolf Pack at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. You can hear Bob Crawford call the games on Fox Sports Radio 1410AM.

One Timers:

Going into the game the Wolf Pack had allowed 19 more goals than any other AHL team in their division.

Addressing the defense will be the primary concern going forward for the Wolf Pack but there are forwards who need to pitch in. Fogarty has a +- rating 11 and Chris Brown is a -8.

The Pack are 2-6-1-0 at home and 1-2-2-0 on the road. It is really hard to say where they have played better.