Howlings

HOWLINGS IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL

We've heard from a couple of concerned Howlers that wanted to know if we had ceased doing Howlings... Trust me, the answer to that is a resounding NO.

In fact quite the opposite. We have taken Howlings to a new level and improved things dramatically. You can see them and be a part of it in our new location.

Please make note of these new links which will both take you there. If you have us bookmarked you'll need to make changes to how you have it listed. The new bookmark URL's are either:

www.howlings.net or http://howlings2.wordpress.com

If you are a regular reader of ours, and we truly appreciate it if you are, I have moved Howlings to a new location that gives us more content and function controls and the ability to take this in the direction we think serves the readers that much more.. We have more details about the move on the site that you can find under the title CH-CH-CH Changes...

Again, we're grateful for all of your support and hope that you will continue to patronize our new site. There is more in-store for you there as Howlings continues to give unparalleled coverage of the Hartford Wolf Pack and to make it a better experience for all of our readers.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to shoot us an email at Mitch at howlings dot net. (Sorry we have to do it that way or we'll be spammed to death)

Thank you again and look forward to hearing from you again sometime soon...

Mitch Beck

200

    VERSUS    

Congratulations to General Manager and Head Coach Derek Wilkinson who got his 200 career win in Charlotte Sunday. In addition to being a terrific GM and Head Coach, Wilkinson has been an incredible and invaluable help to us here at Howlings. This couldn’t happen to a better person. Congratulations Wilky!

OFFENSIVE OUTBURST PROPELS CHECKERS OVER ELMIRA

Wilkinson Gets 200th Win In 6-4 Victory

Derek Wilkinson earned his 200^th win as head coach and rookie Jean-Philipp Chabot scored the game-winning goal as the Charlotte Checkers defeated the Elmira Jackals, 6-4, on Sunday evening. The win was the second in a row against the Jackals at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Frank Doyle stopped 22 of 24 in his Checkers debut and Charlotte leading scorer Michel Leveille added a goal and an assist. Ex-Checkers goaltender Chris Holt stopped 16 of 22 for the Jackals in a losing effort.

Just 25 seconds in, and for the fourth game in a row, the Checkers struck first. Defenseman Kevin Schaeffer took a shot from the point and Kenny Roche was there to bang in the rebound out of mid-air for his second of the season.

Charlotte made it a 2-0 game just over three minutes later when Tyler Doig dished a pass over to Leveille who then buried it into the top corner for his seventh of the season.

Elmira would answer back just 22 seconds later when Tyler Donati converted a pass from his twin brother Justin and beat Doyle between the legs.

The Checkers remained on the offensive and added three unanswered goals in the first 13 minutes of the second period by T.J. Reynolds, Andrew Carroll and Chabot. The goal by Reynolds was his second in as many games against the Jackals.

Elmira responded on a goal by Chanse Fitzpatrick, however, Charlotte regained their four goal lead with nine seconds left in the period. Steve Ward dragged the puck along the ice and set himself up for a slap shot that beat Holt over the glove.

The Jackals showed signs of life in the third period adding goals by Maxime Gratchev and Olivier Proulx to cut the Checkers lead to 6-4.

Elmira would apply some late pressure but Doyle turned aside all nine shots he faced in the third period for his first victory as a Checker.

The Checkers (6-3-2-0) will host South Carolina on Wednesday at Time Warner Cable Arena. Game time is 7pm and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.

Notes: Head Coach Derek Wilkinson (200-164-36) recorded his 200^th win in today’s game…Matt Schepke now has seven points (5g, 2a) in his last six games…Michel Leveille leads the team in scoring with 13 pts (7g, 6a) in 11 games… Matt Ford remains with Lake Erie (AHL) and defenseman Ethan Graham is with Norfolk (AHL)…Ryan Munce, Trevor Glass and Randy Rowe are all on the 21-day injured reserve.

A GAME OF FIRSTS...

   VERSUS   

The Hartford Wolf Pack returned to the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts Saturday night for their first game against the Sharks since they were eliminated in six games in the first round of last season’s playoffs. They came. They saw; and they shut them out. The Pack knocked off the Sharks in impressive style with a 4-0 victory.

The win lifted the Pack three games over the .500 mark for the first time in the 2009 - 2010 season. The night also produced forward Ryan Garlock’s first goal in a Wolf Pack uniform. There was something else? What was it again? Oh yeah, goaltender Chad Johnson registered the first back-to-back shutouts for the Pack in over four years. The last Pack netminder to put doughnuts on back-to-back occasions in the scorer’s sheet was Steve Valiquette. The current Ranger backup netminder shut out the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Jan. 15, 2005 with a 33 save effort and a 4-0 win. “Valli” followed up that performance four nights later (January 19, 2005) in Springfield erasing 21 Falcon shots en route to a 5-0 win.

On this night however, Johnson (35 saves 8-4-0) was simply magnificent. This was an incredibly up tempo game that required the 6’3” 200-pound goaltender to be on his toes and stay focused. And he was! Both teams came out from the opening drop of the puck and treated the event more like a track meet than a hockey game. It certainly seemed at the pace this game was taking that by the third period whichever team still had the legs to skate would pull this one out.

At the end of the scoreless first period, the Pack’s Derek Couture and Andrew Desjardins of the Sharks got into a tussle and both would start the second period in the sin bin with both teams skating four aside.

With lots of open space on the ice, Illka Heikkinen put the Pack on the scoreboard just 49 seconds into the second period. The Pack defenseman fired a hard, direct shot while completely surrounded by Benn Ferriero, Joe Callahan and Michael Wilson. They were all over him, but somehow, the Rauma, Finland native found enough space to beat Shark starting goalie Alex Stalock (20 saves, 6-4-1) over the left shoulder. It appeared Stalock reacted late as the defense surrounding Heikkinen might have screened the goaltender and caused him to pick up the puck late allowing for the tally.

As the second period was winding down, referee Ghislain Hebert became a factor. He called Jordan Owens for tripping at 11:03 and then returned the favor to the Pack at 17:29 sending Desjardins off for two minutes of isolation for the same offense. With 50.2 ticks to go on the close, Hebert put the Sharks down two men for 19 seconds when he issued a warrant to Nick Petrecki for an obvious cross check. That advantage would go sour just five seconds in when Hebert blew his whistle again calling Dale Weise for a phantom hooking call. With the chance to break the game open and given, based upon the replay, that the Pack right wing did nothing, Weise lost his temper and wound up picking up an extra two minute infraction for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. The four minutes in penalties meant the two teams would start the second period skating four aside and then Worcester would have another man-advantage, their fifth, for 1:53.

But while the Pack were being outshot as they entered the second intermission, 28-18, they led the game 1-0.

(Mathieu Dandenault advances the puck out of the Pack defensive zone just ahead of center Corey Locke.

Ex-Pack Dwight Helminen watches from ice level)

It was Johnson who would pull them out of the fire on the penalty kill. The defender of the Pack net turned sure goals into just shots on net, wiping out golden opportunities by Kevin Henderson and Branson Mashinter from dead red.

The Pack penalty kill has been suspect all season currently

With the Pack penalty killers rising to the occasion, currently 24th in the league at 78.3%, the team was able to find a way to double their lead. As the Shark power play was coming to a close, Owens took a loose puck away from Steven Zalewski in the neutral zone and using his speed along the right wing got wide around the Shark center. When Owens turned left and headed toward the net for a jam in attempt, Stalock stayed with him and they collided sending booth went down to the ice. Brodie Dupont was “Mr. Johnny-On-The-Spot” and corralled the puck and discovered he was all by himself with an empty net in front of him. Dupont immediately took advantage putting the biscuit in the basket from the left side and depositing it in the right corner of the net for the 2-0 lead just two seconds after Weise completed his sentence.

Just 2:11 later it was Garlock’s first goal as a representative of the Connecticut capital as he redirected a white hot shot from the right point by Corey Potter past Stalock who had no chance. It was 3-0.

The league best Pack power play had not scored since P.A. Parenteau’s tally on the 11th in the second period against Manchester and was on an 0-8 run when they finally got back on the board.

Mashinter and McLaren were both in the box 1:23 apart giving the Pack their second two man advantage. This time for 47 seconds. Bobby Sanguinetti, who is having a tremendous season, crushed a shot from the left circle off a nice feed from Weise. Dane Byers, who had given Weise the puck, distracted Stalock in front enough to allow Sanguinetti’s missile to find it’s target behind the Shark netminder.

The helper on the goal gave Byers points in both games since coming back from New York and extended his personal point streak to five games (3g, 3a, 6pts).

But this was the Chad Johnson show from start to finish. The Calgary born goaltender made incredible stops throughout the contest, but was strongest in the first period. With Worcester outplaying the Pack in every facet of the game. If he had put anything less than a Lundqvist-ian performance, the Pack could easily have been blown out of this one early. He simply robbed Frazer McLaren, and Dennis McCauley on their bids for a marker. Johnson stopped ex-Wolf Pack center Dwight “Dewey” Helminen and slammed the door on Joe Callahan and John McCarthy. His best save of the contest also came in the first period. The 6’3” 200 pounder flashed the glove and swiped a ferocious shot from in tight off the sick of Benn Ferriero right out of the air. Afterwards the Shark center could do little more than skate away staring at the ceiling.

For the Sharks, who’ve now lost three consecutive games by four goals, it was that kind of night.

The Pack have now won eight of their last ten and six of their last seven. After a real slow start, the team now sits alone in third place four points behind first place Manchester and three behind Lowell…though the Pack do hold a game in hand.

Bob Crawford shares his insights from the press box at Hartfordwolfpack.com. For coverage of the Worcester Sharks, there’s Bill Ballou at Telegram.com.

GAME SUMMARY and OFFICIAL SCORERS SHEET

NOTES:

* P.A. Parenteau certainly is making a case for himself to stay in New York. The Hull, Quebec native looked good. Sure he made a mistake on his back check on the one Ottawa goal, but he was active and involved and oh yeah, he scored the game winner on a shoot out goal beating Brian Elliot with a sweet move that he’s used before in the AHL. Parenteau is 10-37 in his career shoot out attempts and has 4 shoot out game winners on his resume.

* Johnson has continually improved throughout the course of the season. He now has a 2.17GAA and an impressive .923% along with three shutouts. Johnson ranks 12th overall and leas the AHL with 3 shutouts.

* The Pack last won eight of ten last season from March 18th through April 8th. In that streak they outscored their opponents 40 –21. Over this streak, they are outscoring their opposition 35-19. This streak includes three shut outs. Last season’s had two.

* The Pack power play is still tops in the AHL. While they were at a blistering pace earlier, close to 30% (you knew that wouldn’t last), they are still at 26.5% just ahead of Rochester’s 24.1%.  Both teams have had 83 man advantage situations and the Pack have capitalized 23 times while Rochester only 20. One interesting difference is that Rochester has surrendered 4 shorthanded goals while the Pack only 1.

* The Pack are 8-1-0-0 when leading after two and 6-1-0-0 when outshot by their opponents.
* With two assists, Corey Locke has had points in six of his last seven games (3g, 11a, 14 pts) and is still the top point earner in the AHL just 3 points ahead of ex-Pack Alexandre Giroux who has played in four less games. Bobby Sanguinetti is 8th overall with 18 points and second only to Andy Wozniewski who has 19 among defenseman.

MEANWHILE DOWN IN CHARLOTTE

    Versus   

CHECKERS FALL TO STINGRAYS IN SHOOTOUT

Schepke Pots Fifth in Five Games In 3-2 Loss

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC—The Charlotte Checkers dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday night. Matt Schepke netted his fifth goal in five games and goaltender Miika Wiikman put aside 24 of 26 shots in a losing cause.

Charlotte got on the board first for the third game in a row on a goal by Matt Schepke. Codey Burki, assigned by Lake Erie (AHL) before the game, started the play by dropping a pass back to Tyler Doig. Doig dished it to Schepke on the right-wing who then one-timed it home past South Carolina netminder Braden Holtby.

The Stingrays would answer back on a shorthanded breakaway by Keith Johnson, his fifth goal and 14^th point of the season. The goal came at the 10:56 mark of the first period.

Less than six minutes later, South Carolina took the lead on another breakaway. Rookie forward Nikita Kashirsky broke in all alone and faked both ways before beating Wiikman between the legs for his team-leading ninth goal of the season.

The game would remain 2-1 until fifteen minutes into the second period when rookie winger Andrew Carroll tied it up with his third tally of the season. Ryan Hillier picked up the assist on the goal.

Despite several chances in the third period for either team, the game remained tied and went to overtime. South Carolina was assessed a late penalty in overtime but the Checkers were unable to capitalize and the two teams prepared for the shootout.

Each team needed seven shooters in the shootout and Ketih Johnson netted the eventual game winner for the Stingrays.

The Checkers (5-3-2-0) will host Elmira tomorrow at Time Warner Cable Arena. Game time is 5pm and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.

Notes: Head Coach Derek Wilkinson (199-164-36) needs one more win for 200 career coaching victories…Matt Schepke now has five goals in five games…Michel Leveille leads the team in scoring with 11 pts (6g, 5a) in 10 games… Matt Ford remains with Lake Erie (AHL) and defenseman Ethan Graham is with Norfolk (AHL)…Ryan Munce, Trevor Glass and Randy Rowe are all on the 21-day injured reserve.

LINES:

Byers – Locke – Owens

Grachev – Dupont - Weise

Soryal – Crowder – Couture

Chappell – Garlock - Ambϋhl

Heikkinen – Sanguinetti

Dandenault - Urquhart

Potter – Williams

Johnson

(Assistant Captains Italicized)

SCRATCHES:

P.A. Parenteau – Recall with NY Rangers

Devin DiDiomete – Conditioning in Charlotte

Michael Sauer – Shoulder, Day-to-Day

Brent Henley - Healthy

THREE STARS:

1. HFD - 29 Chad Johnson
2. HFD - 49 Ilkka Heikkinen
3. HFD - 9 Brodie Dupont

ON ICE OFFICIALS:

Ghislain Hebert (49), Referee
Bob Paquette (18), Linesman
Brian MacDonald (72), Linesman

NEXT GAME:

The Rangers top farm club is back at home on Wednesday night November 18th when they look to do to Binghamton what the parent club did to Ottawa…of course in regulation not in a shoot out…

SCORE-SHEET:

Hartford 0 1 3 - 4

Worcester 0 0 0 - 0

1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Groulx Wor (slashing), 4:31; Locke Hfd (slashing), 5:16; Williams Hfd (hooking), 16:40; Couture Hfd (roughing), 20:00; Desjardins Wor (roughing), 20:00.

2nd Period-1, Hartford, Heikkinen 4 (Locke, Dupont), 0:49. Penalties-Weise Hfd (hooking), 6:52; Owens Hfd (tripping), 11:03; Desjardins Wor (tripping), 17:29; Petrecki Wor (cross-checking), 19:09; Weise Hfd (hooking, unsportsmanlike conduct), 19:14.

3rd Period-2, Hartford, Dupont 4 (Owens), 3:16. 3, Hartford, Garlock 1 (Potter, Byers), 5:27. 4, Hartford, Sanguinetti 6 (Weise, Locke), 17:15 (pp). Penalties-Stalock Wor (delay of game), 10:35; Couture Hfd (tripping), 13:16; Mashinter Wor (hooking), 15:13; McLaren Wor (high-sticking), 16:36; Groulx Wor (hooking), 18:30.

Shots on Goal-Hartford 8-10-6-24. Worcester 14-14-7-35.

Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 of 7; Worcester 0 of 6.

Goalies-Hartford, Johnson 7-4-0 (35 shots-35 saves). Worcester, Stalock 6-3-1 (24 shots-20 saves).

A-5,107

(Photo courtesy of Telegram.com)

RUBBER GAME

   VERSUS   

Two late third period goals scored just 38 seconds apart propelled the Hartford Wolf Pack past the visiting Manchester Monarchs 2-0 before 4,451 at the XL Center Friday night.

Derek Couture scored what proved to be the game winner with just 3:06 remaining in the contest. The goal was his first as a member of the Hartford Wolf Pack since signing a Professional Try-Out contract with the team on October 31st.

“You need some secondary scoring and for Couture to get us a big game winner like that is great.” Head Coach Ken Gernander said. “I thought that line (Ryan Garlock, Chris Chappell and Couture) was real responsible all night and fore-checked real well and it was nice to see them get rewarded.”

Couture’s goal came as the fifth year veteran followed up a rebound of a blistering right circle blast off the stick of Justin Soryal with just 3:06 remaining in the game. The puck started to creep it’s way up the slot when the right winger found it and put it on net. Couture’s shot snuck through the five hole of starting netminder Jonathan Bernier (23 saves, 7-4-1) and trickled across the goal line for the tally.

“It’s an important shift after you score a goal,” Gernander said. “The other team wants to respond. It can be a turning point in the game how you respond after a goal or in the last minute of a period and there are areas where you have to heighten your awareness and your focus.”

Just after scoring the Couture goal, Gernander sent out his top line of Jordan Owens, Cory Locke and Dane Byers.

Byers, playing in his first game after a five-game stay with the parent New York Rangers, certainly made a splash in his first game back. A neutral zone turnover was picked up by Owens, who fed the left wing along the boards. Byers then led the Pack on a three-on-one odd man rush. The Pack assistant captain then looked off the defender and unloaded a quick release wrist shot from the left circle that found the short side under Bernier’s blocker.

The Pack would not have been in the position to win this one in the first place had it not been for another stellar game from netminder, Chad Johnson. Acquired by the Rangers in June for a fifth round pick, former Pittsburgh Penguin draftee, has improved steadily all season long.

Johnson (7-4-0, 26 saves) was solid throughout stopping all 26 shots he faced for his second career shutout.

“He had some real good saves for us down at the end there to keep it scoreless.” Gernander stated. “Then when we were preserving the lead there again, he came up big. It was a pretty well earned shut-out for him.”

“For anyone, the more you play the more comfortable you’re going to get. The whole team here, the chemistry has gotten better. We’re all getting used to each other and things are going a lot better.” Johnson said. “I’m getting a lot of help from the D and the forwards are coming back backchecking a lot better than we were and that’s certainly helping out.”

The third meeting in two weeks between the Hartford Wolf Pack and the Manchester Monarchs started off much like the previous two as both teams jockeyed to establish control. Neither was able to get any solid footing or find much space.

The best scoring chances of the period all belonged to the Wolf Pack. Despite only taking six shots, they were all good pretty good chances.

At 9:24 Justin Soryal took a hard shot from the right circle. The puck hit Manchester starting goaltender Jonathan Bernier and deflected out to the left side. Andres Ambϋhl, who had just come off the bench, found the puck and drilled it hard on goal. Ambϋhl, who’s only tallied once to this point in the season, rang the puck hard off the crossbar.

The Pack’s next chance came 6:26 later while on a power play. Byers worked a terrific give-and-go with Dale Weise but Bernier got low to the ice and smothered a good hard shot from the Pack right winger.

It only took 9 seconds for the Pack to have another tremendous scoring chance. Locke, the AHL’s leading scorer, came down the slot and fired a rocket at Bernier from point blank range. Bernier clearly had a tough time with the shot but swallowed it and got his team out of the period with no score.

The second period was even tighter to the vest as both teams put a strangle hold on breathing room.

However, Byers got a great opportunity around the 3 minute mark with a follow up in front of the net that appeared to go in. “I think it hit two posts on that one,” Gernander said. “The ref was there and the goal judge and nobody signaled goal. I’m sure it was the right call.”

The Monarchs had one of their two best scoring chances of the night with just under a minute left in the second period. Drew Bagnall unloaded a bomb of a hard shot from high in the slot that Johnson was able to absorb without surrendering a rebound which could have been trouble given the traffic in front of him.

In the third period with the Monarchs buzzing there was a big scramble in front of Johnson. The puck had drifted between the legs of the Pack netminder and was looking to find it’s way into the net. With the puck loose in the crease, Johnson needed some help. “I think it was (David) Urquhart. He was right behind me clearing pucks.  Everyone has been doing a great job battling out there clearing pucks and blocking shots. It makes my job a lot easier.”

“It was just back and forth there.” Johnson said of the game. “It’s exciting hockey there the last five minutes, just back and forth. It’s exciting, especially getting the two points.”

Brian Ring substitutes for the ailing Bruce Berlet at Hartfordwolfpack.com. Coverage for Manchester, if you can call it that, can be found at UnionLeader.com.

GAME SUMMARY and OFFICIAL SCORERS SHEET

NOTES:

* The Wolf Pack’s Annual Bowl-A-Thon to benefit the hard work being done at Special Olympics Connecticut raised over $20,000.00. Congratulations to all who partook in such a great cause.

* The Pack are now 2-0-0-0 in games they enter the third period tied.

* Defeating the Monarchs extended the franchise’s 12+ year winning streak of winning games when they’ve led after three periods. The win also lengthened their run in failing to drop a single point when they outscore their opponents. Just checking to see if you’re paying attention.

* A belated congratulations to Ken Gernander who earned his 100th career win as Pack head coach on October 25th in the team’s 4-3 win over Worcester. Overall, the third year team leader from Coleraine, Minnesota has a career record of 105-60-5-12 (.577). Gernander ranks third thus far of the five coaches the Pack have had to this point in their existence.

Here are the team’s coach’s career records and winning percentage.

(W-L-T-OTL-SOL)

EJ McGuire – (1997-98) – (1998-99)  (81-55-17-7-0, .506%)

John Paddock – (1999-00) – (2001–02) (131-74-25-11-0, .543) Calder Cup Championship in 2000

Ryan McGill – (2002-03) - (2004 –05) (127–73-27-13-0, .529%)

Jim Schoenfeld - (2005-06) - (2006-07) (95-53-0-5-7, .605%)  

* Corey Locke was held off the scorer’s sheet for the first time in five games.

* Dane Byers has points in four straight (3g, 2a, 5pts)

* The Pack are 2-2-0 in games decided by two goals and 3-3-0 in games decided by one goal.

* 5-1-0-0 when they are outshot and 4-6-0-0 when they outshoot their opponents.

MEANWHILE DOWN IN CHARLOTTE

    vs.    
 
CHECKERS END TWO-GAME SKID WITH WIN OVER ELMIRA

Rookies Play Big Role In 4-2 Victory

The Charlotte Checkers ended a two-game losing streak with an exciting 4-2 victory over the East Division-leading Elmira Jackals. Julien Brouillette scored the game-winning goal and was named the first star of the contest in front of a home crowd of just over 6,000 at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Rookie forwards Andrew Carroll, Matt Schepke and Jean-Philipp Chabot combined for four points and Miika Wiikman stopped 22 of 24 shots for the victory. Twin brothers, and Elmira scoring leaders, Tyler and Justin Donati led the way offensively for Elmira with two points apiece and ex-Checkers goaltender Chris Holt stopped 42 shots in a losing cause.

Charlotte opened the scoring 90 seconds into the game on a great short-handed effort by rookie forward Andrew Carroll. Carroll out-muscled an Elmira defenseman behind the net, took a pass from Jean-Philipp Chabot and backhanded a shot into the top corner past Chris Holt.

Just over 10 minutes later Charlotte would add to their lead on a goal by Matt Schepke, his fourth in four games. Tyler Doig carried the puck into the zone and saucered a pass to Schepke who then tucked it in between the legs of Holt. Chabot picked up the other assist and the goal came at the 11:47 mark of the first period.

The Checkers made it a 3-0 game less than two minutes later on an incredible individual effort by defenseman Julien Brouillette. Brouillette, doing his best Bobby Orr imitation, carried the puck into the zone and dished it off before skating back to the blueline and firing a one-time slap shot past the Elmira netminder.

Elmira would get on the board less than one minute into the second period. Elmira forward Tyler Donati took a pass from Maxime Gratchev in the slot and beat Wiikman glove side for his sixth of the season.

The Jackals then cut the lead to one goal on a slap shot by Chanse Fitzpatrick. The power play tally, his team-leading 10th of the season, was assisted by both Donati brothers.

Charlotte held a 27-17 shot advantage through two periods of play.

Late in the third period, the Checkers were slapped with two penalties and went on a 5-on-3 penalty kill. The Jackals pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker but were unable to solve Wiikman. As time expired on the last penalty, Checkers defenseman T.J. Reynolds sprung out of the penalty box, took a pass from Kenny Roche and shot the puck into the empty net to seal the victory.

The Checkers (5-3-1-0) will now travel to Charleston to face the Stingrays before returning to Time Warner Cable Arena on Sunday to host Elmira again. Game time is 5 p.m. and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com

Head Coach Derek Wilkinson (199-164-35) needs one more win for 200 career coaching victories…Michel Leveille leads the team in scoring with 11 pts (6g, 5a) in 9 games…Matt Ford remains with Lake Erie (AHL) and defenseman Ethan Graham is with Norfolk (AHL)…Ryan Munce, Trevor Glass and Randy Rowe are all on the 21-day injured reserve.

 

LINES:

Byers – Locke – Owens

Grachev – Dupont - Weise

Soryal – Crowder - Ambϋhl

Garlock – Chappell - Couture 

Heikkinen - Sanguinetti

Potter – Williams

Dandenault - Urquhart

Johnson

 

(Assistant Captains Italicized)

 

SCRATCHES:

P.A. Parenteau – Recall with NY Rangers

Devin DiDiomete – Conditioning in Charlotte

Michael Sauer – Shoulder, Day-to-Day

Brent Henley - Healthy

THREE STARS:

1. HFD - 28 Derek Couture
2. HFD - 29 Chad Johnson
3. MCH - 45 Jonathan Bernier

ON ICE OFFICIALS:

Chris Ciamaga (41), Referee
Kevin Redding (16), Linesman
Derek Wahl (46), Linesman

NEXT GAME:

The Pack get on the bus in the afternoon and head up to Worcester, Massachusetts where they will go swimming with the Sharks at 7:05.

SCORE-SHEET:

Manchester 0 0 0 - 0
Hartford 0 0 2 - 2
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Potter Hfd (tripping), 2:03; Westgarth Mch (interference), 5:49; Westgarth Mch (elbowing), 14:57.
2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Kolomatis Mch (hooking), 2:45.
3rd Period-1, Hartford, Couture 1 (Soryal, Garlock), 16:54. 2, Hartford, Byers 3 (Owens), 17:32. Penalties-Byers Hfd (hooking), 9:19.
Shots on Goal-Manchester 9-9-8-26. Hartford 6-11-8-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Manchester 0 of 2; Hartford 0 of 3.
Goalies-Manchester, Bernier 7-4-1 (25 shots-23 saves). Hartford, Johnson 7-4-0 (26 shots-26 saves).

CHECKERS ADD A PAIR

The Charlotte Checkers have agreed to terms with ex-Calgary Flames forward Daniel Tkaczuk and former ECHL All-Star Game MVP Frank Doyle, general manager and head coach Derek Wilkinson announced today. The two veterans add a nice mix of skill and experience to the Checkers’ lineup.

Tkaczuk, a former first-round NHL draft pick, comes to Charlotte after spending the last six seasons in the German Elite League, Finnish Elite League and Italian League.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound winger from Toronto, Ontario also played four seasons in the American Hockey League, winning a Calder Cup Championship in 2000 with the Saint John Flames. He enjoyed a mid-season call-up to the Calgary Flames in 2000-01, scoring four goals and seven assists in 19 NHL games.

“Daniel came to us through a recommendation from New York Rangers pro scout Peter Stephan,” said Wilkinson. “He has top-end speed and great play-making abilities and will certainly be an offensive leader for us.”

Prior to joining the professional ranks, Tkaczuk spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League where he notched 334 points (145g, 189a) in 238 games and was named a Canadian Hockey League First Team All-Star. He also helped Canada to a silver medal at the 1999 World Junior Hockey Championship and led the team in scoring, while being named to the All-Tournament team.

Doyle, 29, also comes to the Checkers after spending last season in the German Elite League. The native of Guelph, Ontario posted a 13-20-0 record with a 3.07 goals against average and .903 save percentage in 47 games with the Cologne Sharks.

Prior to his stint in Europe, Doyle signed an NHL deal with New Jersey and played three seasons in the AHL for the Lowell Devils and Albany River Rats. In all three AHL seasons he led his team in games played, wins, goals against average and save percentage. In 2007-08, he won the Man of the Year award for outstanding contributions to community and charitable organizations.

Doyle played one ECHL season with the Idaho Steelheads in 2004-05, posting a 32-13-4 record with a 2.16 GAA and .916 save percentage. He took home Most Valuable Player honors at the 2005 ECHL All-Star Game and was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team.

Prior to turning pro, Doyle played at the University of Maine with current Checkers forward Michel Leveille and won a Hockey East Championship in 2004.

“We are pleased to find Frank this late in the season,” added Wilkinson. “He is an excellent goalie and should add stability to a position that has been in flux since game one.”

In a separate transaction, goaltender Billy Sauer was recalled to the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL.

The Checkers (4-3-1) are at home for 5 of the next 6 games. They will host the East Division-leading Elmira Jackals (7-2-1) tonight at 7p.m. at Time Warner Cable Arena. Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com

NIGHT MOVES

Many of the NY beat reporters are now confirming what Howlings told you last night, that P.A. Parenteau is on his way to New York. What we've also learned through some of these same outlets (Blue Notes & Ranger Rants) is that Dane Byers run in the NHL is over...at least for now...as he's headed back to Hartford.

What will be interesting to see is how much Byers brings back in terms of benefiting from the game experience he picked up from the coaching and his time in New York. Also, will Byers' New York experience will help the team in picking up the considerable slack that will be made by Parenteau's departure to New York.

What's most intriguing about this move is it really doesn't address the major problem in New York. While the team will most certainly benefit from the offensive punch that Parenteau's presence will bring, what this team needs is at least one center if not two.

Since cap money is a clearly an issue and the Rangers and the team needs someone in the middle who can play "Some defense" but more importnatly score and help set up others in that department, why not make a call to the Washington Capitals to see if the team can pry away one time Ranger/Wolf Pack center, Alexandre Giroux. It wouldn't cost much to make that trade and the NHL's all time single season scoring champion. In the 2008-2009 season, the Quebec, PQ scored a record 60g, had 37a, for 97 points in just 69 games. Giroux is off to another great start this season with seven (7) goals and twelve (12) assists for nineteen (19) points in just eleven (11) games. He would be a gigantic assetin John Tortorella's system.

Seems to be a no-brainer. Should it not work out, Giroux goes to Hartford and helps them win a Calder Cup like he has done in Hershey. However, we highly doubt he would need to be returned there playing for Tortorella.

Howlings will report live from Hartford and keep you up to date should any other news break.

HERE IS THE OFFICIAL RELEASE:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward P.A. Parenteau has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL), and forward Dane Byers has been assigned to Hartford.

Parenteau, 26, has skated in two games with the Rangers this season and tallied his first career NHL goal on October 28 against the Islanders.He is currently tied for the AHL lead in goals (10) and ranks second in the league in points (20). In addition, Parenteau ranks second in the league with six power play goals and is tied for third with six power play assists. He has registered at least one point in each of his four games since returning to Hartford on October 31, tallying two goals and six points over the span, and is in the midst of a seven-game AHL point streak dating back to October 23 (six goals and 13 points). Parenteau has registered seven multi-point efforts this season, including his first hat trick as a Wolf Pack player on October 10 against Springfield, he finished ninth in the AHL in points with 29 goals and 78 points, and was named a First-Team AHL All-Star.

The Hull, City, Quebec native was acquired by the Rangers from the Chicago Blackhawks on October 11, 2007, in exchange for a conditional draft pick. He was originally Anaheim's ninth round selection, 264th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Byers, 23, skated in five games with the Rangers and recorded his first career NHL point with a goal on October 30 at Minnesota. He returns to Hartford where he has registered two goals and five points, along with 26 penalty minutes in nine games this season. He ranked second on the team in penalty minutes, was tied for fourth in goals and eighth in points at the time of his recall on October 30. Prior to his recall, Byers was riding a three-game point streak, recording two goals and four points over the span. Last season, Byers tied for the team lead in playoff goals (three) and finished second on Hartford in playoff points (four).

The Nipawin, Saskatchewan native was originally the Rangers second round selection, 48th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

PARENTEAU TO NEW YORK

Sources within the Rangers organization have just confirmed to Howlings that P.A. Parenteau has been recalled to the New York Rangers.

VETERAN'S DAY OFF

    VERSUS     

The Hartford Wolf Pack won the first two periods on the road against the first place Manchester Monarchs playing close to the vest possession hockey. The visitors  entered the third period leading 1-0. Unfortunately for the Hartford Wolf Pack there are three periods in hockey and had a terrible third period allowing two goals in a span of just 2:27 giving the Monarchs a 2-1 win Wednesday night.

So much for their four game winning streak and for that matter their power play winning games for them. The Pack were only able to convert on one of their five power play opportunities and for the first time on the man-advantage seemed out of sync and unsure about what they wanted to do. They also were far too cute in their passes, when shots on goal was what made them, coming into the game, the best power play unit in the AHL.

The Pack controlled the first period by attacking the net. At 5:35 of the first period, P.A. Parenteau had an amazing opportunity after some terrific passing and nifty skating that got him behind the defense. However, Monarch starting netminder Jonathan Bernier came up with a huge stop with the right foot that snuffed out the Pack’s best chance in the period (see photo to the left). The pressure on the Monarchs led to three power play opportunities that all went for naught.

It would be the fourth try at just :32 of the second period, when Juraj Mikus took his second consecutive penalty, that the Pack would finally cash in.

Parenteau was down low on the left side. The Hull, Quebec native made a perfect cross crease pass to center Corey Locke on the right. With Evgeny Grachev in front of the crease, Locke attempted to fire it back over to Parenteau, but it got hung up in the traffic in front. Grachev wrestled the puck from fellow Russian Viatcheslav Voynov and flipped it towards Parenteau. The AHL’s top goal scorer knew just what to do with the opportunity and fired it right behind Bernier for his tenth of the season. With his 13th assist on the play, Locke continued as the AHL’s leading point getter with 22 (9g, 12a). Parenteau is second with 20 (10g, 10a).

Bernier came up huge a second time when he denied Parenteau’s second goal attempt but batting the puck out of the air with the butt end of his stick.

There’s an old saying that it’s better to be lucky than good. The Monarchs had both Wednesday night. Bernier was tremendous, but they were also lucky as well. As the second period was ending, Ilkka Heikkinen fired a hard shot form the left point that hit a crowd of players in front of the net, deflected into the air and flipped into the net behind Bernier as the clock expired. The goal was immediately waved off by referee Mark Lemelin as having gone into the net after time expired. (Editor’s note…The fact that a puck that’s still in the air from a shot taken prior to the buzzer sounding and NOT counting as a goal when it goes into the net because it hadn’t landed before the horn sounded has to be the dumbest rule in any sport. For example basketball runs on a single question concerning this issue, “Was the shot taken prior to the clock hitting zeros.” That’s the way it should be. It’s called common sense and ultimately in this contest, it cost the Pack two points.)

At the end of the second period, the Pack were outshooting the L.A. King’s top farm team 22-11.

But the wheels came off the bus in the third period.

Corey Potter had taken an interference call at 19:08 of the second period so the Pack started the period with their VERY suspect penalty killing units for the fourth time. It only took Manchester 54 seconds to cash in.  Monarch defenseman Andrew Campbell saw from his left point position that the Pack’s Ryan Garlock had his back turned to him and that Mathieu Dandenault was out of position and too far over to the right. The second year defenseman from Caledonia, Ontario read it perfectly and snuck down the left side behind the play.  Andrei Loktionov, who is off to an amazing start in his rookie season with five goals and nine assists for fourteen points in fourteen games, saw the same thing and made a perfect tape-to-tape, cross-crease pass that Campbell buried behind Pack starter Chad Johnson. 

The Pack would surrender the game winner just 2:27 later when what seemed like a routine shot form the right side by Voynov seemed to hit Pack defenseman Nigel Williams and changed directions and got past Johnson at 3:21.

From there the Pack tried in vain to mount some sort of offensive pressure, but three straight penalties pretty much killed any chance that they had of getting themselves the equalizer.

The Pack were badly outshot in the third period 16-3 and finished the game outshooting Manchester 27-24. That proves to be very little consolation for a team that dropped a four point game against the first place rival.

The two teams lock up again on Friday night at the XL Center at 7pm.  

Bob Crawford relays the view from the broadcast booth at Hartfordwolfpack.com. For the Manchester perspective, Ian Clark was on hand and tells the story from the Manchester perspective at UnionLeader.com. By the way, Clark incorrectly states that the second period ending shot came from Dandenault. It was Heikkinen.

GAME SUMMARY and OFFICIAL SCORERS SHEET

NOTES:

* This broadcast had to have the single worst camera work I have ever seen for any broadcast ever. At times you couldn’t see the action. Cameras jumped all over the place and many times the action occurred outside the camera lens and the direction seemed like something that you’d see on public access. The Monarchs should be thoroughly embarrassed by it.

* If you’re looking for a positive to take out of this game, the Pack penalty killers actually improved themselves in this one moving from 28th of 29 up to 27th with a six for seven night. They went from 74.6% to 75.7%.

* Conversely, the power play dropped from 29.4% to 28.8% which is still good for tops in the AHL.

Hot and Cold:

Hot:

Parenteau – 7 game scoring streak (6g, 7a, 13 points in the span)

Locke – 5 game scoring streak (3g, 9a, 12 points in the span)

Johnson, first loss in 5 starts only allowing 8 goals and has a shutout over the span.

Cold:

Corey Potter – no points in 6 games

Heikkinen – quiet with no points over the last 3

* In the four game win streak the Pack out scored their opponents 19-6.

* This was the Pack’s first loss after leading after one, (5-1-0-0) and after heading into the third period. They are now 7-1-0-0 in such scenarios.

* Interestingly they are 4-6-0-0 when outshooting their opponents and 4-1-0-0 when they are out shot. So much for the value of that stat.

* The Pack are 3-3-0-0 in one goal games

LINES:

Owens – Locke – Parenteau

Grachev – Dupont - Weise

Soryal – Crowder - Couture

Garlock – Crowder - Ambuhl

Williams – Dandenault

Potter - Henley

Heikkinen - Sanguinetti

Johnson

(Assistant Captains Italicized)

SCRATCHES:

Dane Byers – Recall with NY Rangers

Devin DiDiomete – Conditioning in Charlotte

Dave Urquhart – Healthy

Michael Sauer - Healthy

 

THREE STARS:

1. MCH - 76 Viatcheslav Voynov
2. MCH - 2 Andrew Campbell
3. HFD - 17 Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau

ON ICE OFFICIALS:

Mark Lemelin (84), Referee
Joe Andrews (32), Linesman
Landon Bathe (80), Linesman

NEXT GAME:

The Pack play another of their six back-to-back games against the same team as they will host Manchester in Hartford Friday night.

 

SCORE-SHEET:

Hartford 0 1 0 - 1

Manchester 0 0 2 - 2

1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Bagnall Mch (hooking), 4:08; Owens Hfd (interference), 7:44; Clune Mch (holding), 12:56; Mikus Mch (slashing), 17:56.

2nd Period-1, Hartford, Parenteau 10 (Grachev, Locke), 1:49 (pp). Penalties-Mikus Mch (tripping), 0:32; Williams Hfd (hooking), 4:01; Segal Mch (roughing), 13:39; Ambuhl Hfd (goaltender interference), 16:44; Potter Hfd (interference), 19:08.

3rd Period-2, Manchester, Campbell 1 (Loktionov, Moller), 0:54 (pp). 3, Manchester, Voynov 4 (Azevedo, Mikus), 3:21. Penalties-Locke Hfd (interference), 3:42; Dupont Hfd (interference), 9:04; Crowder Hfd (high-sticking), 12:52.

Shots on Goal-Hartford 9-13-5-27. Manchester 5-6-13-24.

Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 of 5; Manchester 1 of 7.

Goalies-Hartford, Johnson 6-4-0 (24 shots-22 saves). Manchester, Bernier 7-3-1 (27 shots-26 saves).

(Photo courtesy of David Laine via unionleader.com)

ARNASON GONE...

According to Steve Zipay of Newsday in his Blue Notes Blog, Tyler Arnason has been suspended by the Rangers and has left the team. Chris Chappell has been summoned to Hartford from Charlotte.

Here's the official release complete with explanation.

WOLF PACK ANNOUNCE ROSTER MOVES

Tyler Arnason Suspended, Chris Chappell Returns from Charlotte

Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the parent New York Rangers have suspended forward Tyler Arnason and reassigned forward Chris Chappell to the Wolf Pack from the team’s ECHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. Arnason, a ninth-year pro who contributed three assists in 11 games with the Wolf Pack, has left the team after agreeing to a contract with a team in Europe.

Chappell has played one game this year for the Wolf Pack, a 7-0 home win over Providence Halloween night, and was even with five penalty minutes and two shots on goal in that game. In five ECHL games with Charlotte, the rookie out of the Ontario Hockey League has one goal and one assist for two points and is +1.

Chappell signed as a free agent with the Rangers July 2, after tallying 38 goals and 38 assists for 76 points in 68 games with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit last season.

The Wolf Pack return to action this Wednesday night, November 11, with a visit to Manchester for a 7:00 game against the Monarchs (WTIC HD-2, www.hartfordwolfpack.com, www.wtic.com). The Pack’s next home game is this Friday, November 13, also against Manchester at 7:00. The first 3,000 fans that night receive a free Ken Gernander jersey T-shirt, courtesy of Click It Or Ticket, and that game is also a Guida’s Family Value Night. Family Value Night packages start as low as $45 and include three tickets, three hot dogs or pizza slices, three sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir. Guida’s Family Value Night packs can be ordered through the XL Center box office and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com. >Single-game tickets for 2009-10 Hartford Wolf Pack regular season home games are on sale now at the XL Center box office, through Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

WOLF PACK WEEKLY: November 9 – 15, 2009

The Wolf Pack (8-6-0-0, 16 pts.) extended their current winning streak to a season-high four games last week, by sweeping a pair of road contests, their first back-to-back road wins of the year.  The Pack downed Providence 5-3 in Providence Friday night, and then captured the season’s first GEICO Connecticut Cup encounter with Bridgeport Saturday, by a score of 4-1.  AHL points leader (9-12-21 in 14 GP) Corey Locke (1-3-4) and Evgeny Grachev (2-2-4) led the way offensively in the two games, with four points apiece.

This week:

The Wolf Pack have a home-and-home set with first-place Manchester, and a visit to Worcester, on the schedule this week.  The Pack make their first trip of the year to Manchester this Wednesday, November 11 (7:00 faceoff), and the two teams re-match at the XL Center on Friday at 7:00, on Guida’s Family Value Night.  Saturday’s game in Worcester faces off at 7:05.

Wednesday, November 11 at Manchester (Verizon Wireless Arena), 7:00 PM

· This is the second get-together on the year between the Wolf Pack and Monarchs, and the Pack’s first of four trips to Manchester.  The Wolf Pack defeated the Monarchs, 3-2 in overtime, in the two clubs’ first meeting November 1 in Hartford.

· Despite being 0-1-1-1 in their last three games, Manchester still leads the Atlantic Division with a record of 9-3-1-1 for 20 points.  The Monarchs had a 6-0-1-1 streak snapped in their last tilt, a 4-1 home loss to Hershey Saturday night.

· The Wolf Pack registered three wins and an overtime loss in four visits to Verizon Wireless Arena last season.

· Manchester’s goals-against-per-game average of 1.64 is second-best in the AHL, and goaltender Jonathan Bernier (6-3-1, 1.67, 95.3, 2 SHO) ranks second in the league in save percentage and fourth in GAA.

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com.

Friday, November 13 vs. Manchester at the XL Center, 7:00 PM

· This is Ken Gernander T-shirt night.  The first 3,000 fans into the game will receive a free Ken Gernander jersey T-shirt, courtesy of Click It Or Ticket.

· Being a Friday home game, this is a Guida’s Family Value Night.  Family Value packages start as low as $45 and include three tickets, three hot dogs or pizza slices, three sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir.  Guida’s Family Value Night packs are available at the XL Center box office and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

· The Wolf Pack are 5-1-0-0 in six home games thus far on the season.

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com.

Saturday, November 14 at Worcester (DCU Center), 7:05 PM

· The Sharks (8-4-0-1, 17 pts.) are tied with Lowell and Springfield for second place in the Atlantic Division, three points behind division-leading Manchester.

· This is the Wolf Pack’s first visit of the year to Worcester, where they were 2-1-0-1 in four trips last season.  The Pack knocked off the Sharks 4-3 in this year’s first meeting, October 25 at the XL Center.

· Sharks rookie goaltender Alex Stalock is 6-2-1 in his first nine pro appearances, with a 1.84 goals-against average and a 93.1% save percentage.

· Radio – this game will be carried live on WTIC NewsTalk 1080, the 50,000-watt AM powerhouse.  WTIC NewsTalk 1080’s Scott Gray will join Wolf Pack play-by-play voice Bob Crawford on the broadcast team.  The action can also be heard live on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com.

Recent Transactions:

Devin DiDiomete – reassigned by the New York Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL) November 3.

Chris Chappell – reassigned by the New York Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL) November 4.

Pack Tracks:

Saturday, December 12, when the Wolf Pack host Bridgeport in a 7:00 GEICO Connecticut Cup game, is “Hometown Hero Night” at the XL Center.  The Wolf Pack will be honoring various servicemen and women, including local Police and Fire departments, Military and Civil Service personnel, and will salute the 2009-10 “Hometown Hero of the Year”.  That is also a Boy Scout Night, and information on that, as well as all of the Wolf Pack’s many terrific ticket options, is available by calling the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000, and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

Individual tickets for Wolf Pack games are on sale now at the XL Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations including Macy's at the Buckland Hills Mall and at the Westfarms Mall. Tickets may also be charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

Every Friday-night Wolf Pack home game at the XL Center is Guida’s Family Value Night.  Family Value packages start as low as $45 and include three tickets, three hot dogs or pizza slices, three sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir.  To order your Guida’s Family Value Night pack, visit the XL Center box office, or go on-line to www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

The AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack is operated by Northland AEG LLC, a joint partnership between Northland Investment Corporation and AEG Facilities.  The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

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TRACK THE PACK AT WWW.HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM