Wolf Pack start to come together in tough match-up with Toronto
Last night the Hartford Wolf Pack took the ice and played two periods of shut down hockey. Pack Coach Keith McCambridge rewarded Chris Nell with a second straight start in net after a good opening performance in the teams' win against Leehigh Valley last Sunday. Nell did not disappoint, making 25 saves on 27 shots for a 5-2 win.
Adam Tambellini has started this season much like his last, he makes sure he gets on the score sheet and he did that about five minutes into the first. The Wolf Pack had built a 3-0 lead by the end of the second period. Matt Puempel and Cristoval NIeves each added a goal to give the Pack a three goal cushion.
Toronto did not go quietly into the night though. There must have been a stern talk about how they were down 3-0 during the second intermission because with 17:54 left in the third period the Marlies had scored twice to cut the Pack lead to 3-2. Marlie forward Kasperi Kapenen scored first and only a minute and 21 seconds into the start of the third period. Just 45 seconds later Marlie forward Vincent Loverde
scored an unassisted short handed goal when he broke through the defensive and got in alone to sweep the puck around a sprawled out Nell.
The contest remained tight until the last minute of play when former UConn forward Cole Schneider and Pack Captain Joe Whitney scored a couple of empty net goals. Whitney's came with one second left in the game, it was his second of this season.
The Pack are back in action tonight at the Mass Mutual Center as the take on the Springfield Thunderbirds in their season home opener. You can listen to the Wolf Pack on 1410AM or on the IHeart App on your phone.
One Timers:
The Rangers 2017 first round pick was on the ice last night for the Wolf Pack, Flip Cytil also became the youngest player ever to play in an AHL game at 18 years and 33 days old. Incidentally he also became the youngest player in AHL history to get a penalty when he was called for tripping 12:32 into the first period. Chytil had one shot, four penalty minutes and was a +1 on the ice.
Adam Tambellini has a goal in each of Wolf Pack's first three contests this season, he scored the first goal tonight.
This was Hartford's first win against Toronto at the XL Center since December 18 of 2009.
Two former Wolf Pack players were on the Marlies' roster last night. Forward Chris Mueller who last played with the Pack in 2014-2015, and Michael Paliotta, a Connecticut native who played last season on defense.
Two sons of former Whalers were on the ice last night. Marlie forwards, Kasperi Kapenen son of former Whaler Sami Kapenan and Mason Marchment, son of former Whaler Bryan Marchment.
