HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack wrapped up their final three-in-three of the season on Sunday afternoon. The Wolf Pack visited Providence for a matinee matchup with the Bruins.
Hartford carried a 2-1 lead into the final frame. However, Providence erupted for four goals in the third period, snatching a 5-2 decision and making the Wolf Pack’s road to the postseason even harder.
Off the Schneid
A tripping call against Alex Belzile just over three minutes into the contest gave the Bruins the game’s first power play. Max Jones capitalized on the advantage, ripping a shot bar down over Louis Domingue to put the Bruins in front early. This game was Providence’s Teddy Bear Toss game, and Jones’ goal sent the bears flying. The game entered a brief delay.
Shortly after the break, the Wolf Pack tied the contest. Connor Mackey collected a loose puck at neutral ice and stretched a pass for Jaroslav Chmelař. The rookie forward entered the Providence zone and found Jake Leschyshyn powering towards the net. Leschyshyn took the feed, went to the net, and slipped the puck by Brandon Bussi to tie the game.
The goal broke a 24-game scoreless drought for Leschyshyn – his most recent tally came on December 28th against Providence.
Nathan at the Net
The Wolf Pack took their first lead of the afternoon about nine minutes later. Chris Ortiz attempted to get the puck up to Tyler Pitlick, but Blake McLaughlin poked the feed away. Brett Budgell corralled it and snapped a shot from the slot that Bussi denied. However, the rebound popped right to Nathan Sucese, who hammered it by the Bruin netminder to put Hartford in front.
The goal was Sucese’s third in his last two games against Providence – Sucese potted two, including the game-winner, in Hartford’s 6-5 win over the Bruins on February 22nd. Hartford took the 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
Providence pushed heavily for the equalizer in the middle frame, firing 15 shots on Domingue. However, the Hartford goaltender stood on his head in the period, denying all 15 bids.
Meanwhile, the second period closed with theatrics. A scrum ensued in front of the Wolf Pack net, with the rivals pushing and shoving. Eventually, Belzile dropped the gloves and fired punches on Trevor Kuntar.
Because Kuntar never dropped the gloves, Belzile took a two-minute minor for instigating, a five-minute major for fighting, and a ten-minute misconduct. Kuntar took just two for roughing, giving the Bruins a five-minute power play as a result.
The Wheels Fall Off
The Wolf Pack penalty kill was superb, killing off the entire five-minute man advantage. However, Providence’s offense remained relentless. Eventually, they tied the contest, with Vinni Lettieri forcing a turnover in the Hartford zone and sending a backhander by Domingue.
Just over two minutes later, Providence regained the lead. Fabian Lysell attempted a pass for John Farinacci on the backdoor, and Casey Fitzgerald dove to break up the feed. However, the puck took a nightmarish bounce, ricocheting off Fitzgerald’s leg and into the Hartford net.
The Wolf Pack attempted a push late in the frame, but a pair of empty net tallies from Riley Tufte and Oliver Wahlstrom sealed the game. The loss was Hartford’s first regulation defeat when leading after two periods.
Overall, the Wolf Pack earned three points on the weekend, going 1-1-0-1. However, Springfield also took three points on the weekend, going 1-0-0-1. As a result, the Wolf Pack were unable to make up ground on the Thunderbirds, who now have an additional game in hand. With just 17 games remaining for the Wolf Pack, time has officially become the enemy.
Up Next
The Wolf Pack return home on Wednesday, hosting the Bridgeport Islanders. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm.
