VERSUS
The Hartford Wolf Pack (25-13-2-4) take to the road Wednesday night at 7pm to take on the Albany River Rats (24-19-0-2) for a battle of neighboring state capitols at the Times Union Center.
The top challenge for the Wolf Pack will be dealing with the talented goaltending crew guarding the net for the River Rats. Albany, the Carolina Hurricanes AHL affiliate, announced yesterday that veteran NHL goaltender John Grahame (4-3-0 3.04GAA .912%) was recalled and that Michael Leighton (13-14-2, 2.14GAA and .928%) was reassigned to Albany. Rookie Kevin Nastiuk (4-1-0 2.31GAA and .920%) will back him up.
Up front the River Rats are led by 3-time AHL All-Star Keith Aucoin. The 30-year-old Center has played in 33 games and put up 39 points (8G, 31A) this season and will also be the Captain of PlanetUSA's squad against Team Canada in the upcoming AHL All-Star game in Binghamton on January 28th. The River Rats front line also features Brandon Nolan (18G, 17A, 35pts) on the left wing and Jerome Samson (15G, 12A, 27pts) on the right. Former NY Rangers prospect and one time Wolf Pack player Jakub Petruzalek also is on the River Rat squad and there's always fan favorite Trevor Gillies as well.
For the Wolf Pack Miika Wiikman (9-4-1 2.55GAA, .908) is likely to be the starting goaltender overall for the Wolf Pack and should get the start tonight given how strong he has played this season. Former 1st round draft pick, Al Montoya (11-8-3 2.56GAA and .905%) has struggled and will most likely back up Wiikman at least for the immediate future. If it is Wiikman, he'll be looking to rebound from having given up both the game tying goal at 1:20 left in the third period and then the overtime winner in Sunday's loss to Providence.
When it comes to top lines, the Wolf Pack are no slouch. Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (41 games 16G, 26A 42 pts) is rolling as are Greg Moore (37 games 18G, 19A, 37 pts +22) scored a fantastic short-handed goal to put the WP up a goal with 6 minutes left before the team lost on Sunday. Ryan Callahan has been red-hot as he's put up 9 points in 7 games (3G, 6A). Lauri Korpikoski & Hugh Jessiman are both playing the best hockey of their young careers. Both have the same stats (43 games 10G, 12A 22pts) and are expected to keep up the level of effort.
Ivan Baranka is questionable for tonight's contest having injured his shoulder in a fight with Portland's Jason King. Dave Liffiton is back from his concussion and is the focus of Bruce Berlet's feature story in the Hartford Courant.
Bob Crawford has the pre-game starting at 6:30 at ESPN 1410AM and for the video broadcast as always visit b2livetv.com.
Howlings will have full coverage after the game.
Comments