All season long, when the Hartford Wolf Pack have entered the third period with the lead it has practically been an automatic 2 points for the win column. Facing the last place Lowell Devils with a 2-0 lead entering the third period, it was safe to assume the team's already stellar record of 30-0-1-2 in that scenario wasn't about to be tarnished. But having played eight games in twelve days finally caught up to the boys from Hartford and with their legs gone by the middle of the third period the Devils had tied the score and would eventually win a lengthy shoot-out defeating the Wolf Pack, 3-2.
Despite the set back in regulation and the inability to finish on chances in overtime, the Pack still had six opportunities that would have closed this one out in the shoot out but couldn't get it done. Benoit Mondou beat Miika Wiikman (39 saves) on his first attempt and Lauri Korpikoski tied it on his first attempt by beating Frank Doyle, (27 saves). It was the last goal the Pack would score. P.A. Parenteau, Greg Moore, Dane Byers, and Andrew Hutchinson each failed twice in their attempts and Korpikoski ended up one for three. Mike Pandolfo sealed it for the home team when he successfully put a hard shot over Wiikman's shoulder.
Here is the move that Parenteau tried twice when it worked in his last attempt against Portland.
In the first period the Wolf Pack put fourteen shots on Doyle and he stood tall against all of them. while Wiikman saw only seven and wasn't seriously challenged.
Things took a drastic turn in the second period when the Devils stepped up their game and controlled the puck for long periods of time, but it would be the Pack who would strike first. Mike Ouellette took the puck from the left wing and carried the puck behind the net and found Artem Anisimov alone in the crease. An excellent centering pass and a hard shot and it was 1-0. Just 2:16 later they would tally again.
Devils defensemen Richard Matvichuk made a foolish pass up the center of the ice. Korpikoski was right there to pick off the pass. He then used his speed and easily went around Matvichuk coming in one-on-one on Doyle. Doyle made a poke check on Korpikoski's shot that sent the puck into the air but over his back and into the cage and it was 2-0.
The Devils comeback started at 3:42 when Ryan J. Murphy swung around the back of the net, came out in front and fired a wrist shot from the right face-off circle that beat Wiikman. It was a goal that Wiikman saw and had time on and should have stopped.
The tying goal came one second after a Thomas Pock hooking penalty ended when Matvichuk, made up for his earlier blunder by beating Wiikman high from the left face off dot. It was Matvichuk's first goal of the season.
Bruce Berlet sums it all up better than anyone else could in the Hartford Courant with Rich McCall to fill in the Lowell point of view when the Lowell Sun decides to post the story.
For stats on the game check out the Game Summary and the Official Scorer's Sheet.
*****NOTES*****
* Having completed an eight games in twelve days streak going 8-2-0-2 over the span, the Pack now play only five games over the next eighteen days,
* The NHL trade deadline is Tuesday February 26 at 3pm. According to Larry Brooks, the Rangers may be trading Hugh Jessiman.
"...the Rangers are keenly interested in winger Rob Schremp, Edmonton's 2004 first-rounder who is toiling in Springfield (AHL) and has fallen out of favor with GM Kevin Lowe. Schremp, an offensive talent who was selected 25th overall, subsequently recorded 57 goals and 145 points for OHL London in 2005-06.
The Post has learned that Hugh Jessiman, the 12th overall selection in 2003 who has made considerable progress this season and is currently projected to compete for a spot on next season's Rangers' roster, has been part of the conversation with the Oilers. Lowe, however, is believed to be asking for much more than Jessiman. "
*****LINES*****
Byers - Moore - Parenteau
Bourret - Anisimov - Jessiman
Korpikoski - Pyatt - Dupont
Ouellette - Owens
Hutchinson - Potter
Baranka - Taylor
Sauer - Pock
Wiikman
*****SCRATCHES*****
Montoya - Groin
Liffiton - Concussion
Lessard - Knee
Fritz - Shoulder
Graham - Healthy
Nightingale - Healthy
*****THREE STARS*****
1. LOW - 20 Ryan (J.) Murphy
2. LOW - 24 Richard Matvichuk
3. LOW - 1 Frank Doyle
*****OFFICIALS*****
Chris Ciamaga (41), Referee
Chris Aughe (74), Linesman
Brian MacDonald (13), Linesman
Comments