HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack wrapped up the pre-Christmas portion of their schedule on Saturday night. The Pack hit the road for a matchup with the Providence Bruins, looking for revenge from their matchup on Friday night.
Hartford played the role of the Grinch in the Rhode Island capital. Former Bruin Anton Blidh led the way, potting a pair of goals as the Wolf Pack earned a 4-2 win.
You’re a Mean One, Mr. Blidh
The Wolf Pack took a lead they’d never lose 12:35 into the opening frame. Jaroslav Chmelař sent the puck into the Providence zone, and Dylan Roobroeck batted it down low. Providence looked to clear the zone, but Blidh picked off the attempt. Blidh waited out a dive by Brandon Bussi before ripping a shot into the open net, delivering the icebreaker to the Wolf Pack.
The goal was Blidh’s sixth of the campaign and his first of the year against his former team.
Chmelař is Coming (Back) to Town
The Wolf Pack doubled their lead roughly four minutes later. Fabian Lysell took a hooking call, sending the Wolf Pack to the power play. With the final seconds of the man advantage ticking away, Adam Sýkora fired a shot that Billy Sweezey blocked. However, Sýkora collected the rebound and poked it towards the net, where Chmelař poked it by Bussi to put the Wolf Pack up by two.
It was the first goal against Providence for Chmelař, who played two seasons in the Rhode Island capital for the Providence College Friars.
Casey Fitzgerald took a roughing minor in the final seconds of the frame. Vinni Lettieri took advantage, blasting a shot by Louis Domingue to get the Bruins on the board heading into the first intermission.
Rockin’ Around with BMB
After the horn in the first intermission, Bruins forward Trevor Kuntar flung the puck at Wolf Pack defenseman Matthew Robertson. The two got into an altercation, with Kuntar taking a roughing minor, an unsportsmanlike conduct minor, and a misconduct for continuing the altercation. As a result, the Wolf Pack began the second frame on the power play.
On the ensuing power play, Fitzgerald took a point shot that hit a body in front of the net. Sýkora managed to corral the loose puck and poked it to Bryce McConnell-Barker. McConnell-Barker flipped a shot by a diving Bussi to reinstate the two-goal lead.
However, the Bruins would once again pot a late power-play goal to cut the lead back to one. With Jake Leschyshyn in the box for slashing, Patrick Brown took a pass down low and jammed it by Domingue. As a result, the Wolf Pack entered the second intermission with a 3-2 lead.
Blue Christmas for the Bruins
The Hartford penalty kill was challenged in the final frame, with the Bruins earning three man advantages. However, the PK units were up to task, preventing Providence from tying the contest.
Providence lifted Bussi late in the contest, desperate to tie the game. Domingue settled a dump-in attempt from Georgii Merkulov, leaving the puck for Brandon Scanlin. Scanlin fired it off the boards, where Bo Groulx collected the puck. Groulx tapped a pass to Alex Belzile, who stretched it for Blidh in the neutral zone. Finally, Blidh fired a shot from the blue line that nailed the empty net, securing a 4-2 win for the Wolf Pack.
Blake Hillman, Forward?
The Wolf Pack are currently rostering twelve healthy forwards and eight healthy defensemen. In an effort to rotate a forward out, defenseman Blake Hillman drew in for forward Brett Budgell against the Bruins. However, instead of going 11-7, Wolf Pack head coach Grant Potulny had Hillman skate as a forward. Hillman played as the fourth-line right wing alongside left winger McConnell-Barker and center Blade Jenkins.
It’s not the first time Hillman has lined up as a forward since joining the Wolf Pack. Hillman skated as a forward in a few games during the 2022-23 season when the Wolf Pack were plagued with injury issues up front.
Hillman has quickly become a favorite in the Wolf Pack locker room. His willingness to do anything to help the team has earned him praise from players and coaches alike. Back in February, then-Wolf Pack interim head coach Steve Smith spoke to the Calder Times about Hillman.
“He’s such a good person, and he’s wonderful to have around the locker room,” Smith told The Calder Times. “He fills any role that’s needed of him. He’s really good with the young players. He’s a good hockey player, and he’s done a lot of good things for us.”
Hillman’s adaptability to different roles is a big reason why he’s become both a fan favorite and a staple of the Wolf Pack lineup. He can line up on either side on defense, skate on any pairing, and can even play out of position when needed. Guys like Hillman may not be the stars of their teams, but they are key components for success at the AHL level.
Up Next
The Wolf Pack will return to action after Christmas, when they head up I-91 for a matchup against the Springfield Thunderbirds on Friday. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm.
