Penalties Cost Wolf Pack in 5-4 OT Loss to Hammers

The Hartford Wolf Pack continued their season-long eight game road trip on Thursday night. Their latest trip took them north of the border, taking on the Hamilton Hammers for the first time in franchise history.

The former in-state rivals played a great game, and 60 minutes wouldn't be enough to decide a winner. A lack of discipline from Hartford would be the difference, with the Hammers striking four times on the power play to take a 5-4 overtime decision.

Chmelton

The Wolf Pack broke the ice just over seven minutes into the contest. A bench minor for too many men sent Hartford to their first penalty kill of the game. Dennis Cholowski cleared a puck to center ice, and Carey Terrance played it away from a Hammer. Jaroslav Chmelař collected the loose change and powered into the Hamilton zone shorthanded. Chmelař cut to the net and sent a backhand bid through Josh Kotai to give the Wolf Pack the game's first lead.

The goal was Chmelař's second of the season, as well as the Wolf Pack's first shorthanded marker of the campaign.

However, the Hammers would immediately strike back. Hunter Drew tipped a shot by Spencer Martin on the power play to even the score at one.

Matty Ice

The Wolf Pack regained their lead just over two minutes later. Justin Dowling corralled the puck down low and set up Matthew Robertson at the point. Robertson sent a shot through traffic that snuck through Kotai to reinstate the lead.

The goal was Robertson's first of the season, as well as his first goal with Hartford since October 25, 2024, when he potted a goal in a 4-3 overtime win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Additionally, Dowling collected his 300th career AHL assist on the play.

Lamborghini Mercy

The Wolf Pack found their biggest lead of the night a minute later. Glenn Gawdin settled the puck at neutral ice and sent it to a streaking Brody Lamb. Lamb beat the Hamilton defense and shoveled a backhand bid through Kotai to put the Wolf Pack up by two.

The goal was Lamb's first of the campaign. Additionally, Drew Fortescue picked up the secondary assist on the goal, tallying his first AHL point.

However, the Hammers would cut the lead back to one late. With Cholowski in the box for tripping, Cole Eiserman banged home a goal to make it a 3-2 game. The score remained 3-2 heading into the first intermission.

The Hammers took the lead in the middle frame. Cam Thiesing tied it just under the 15 minute mark, snapping a centering feed from Pierre Engvall past Martin.

Matthew Highmore put the home side ahead at 17:40 of the second period. Nathan Aspinall was in the box with a double minor for high-sticking, and Lamb joined him after putting the puck over the glass. Highmore stuffed a pass home to give Hamilton a 4-3 lead heading into the second intermission.

O Captain My Captain

The Wolf Pack got a five-on-three power play bid of their own early in the third period as Engvall sat for hooking and Quinn Finley went to the box for tripping. On the ensuing man advantage, Marc Del Gaizo tied the contest at four, taking a feed from Dowling and ripping it by Kotai from the high slot.

It was the second goal of the season for the newly-appointed Wolf Pack captain, while Dowling recorded his first multi-point outing of the season.

Hartford pressed late, generating plenty of chances to retake the lead. However, Kotai stood tall, eventually sending the game to overtime.

Stay Out of Trouble

However, just before the overtime period began, Terrance took a holding penalty, giving the Hammers a power play bid for the first 1:47 of the extra session.

In bonus hockey, Highmore stuffed home his second goal of the game to give the home side the extra point.

Hartford banks one point, but a lack of discipline would cost them. Hamilton struck four times on eight power play bids, which ended up as the difference maker.

The Wolf Pack will continue their road trip north of the border tomorrow.

Up Next

The Wolf Pack will travel to Belleville tomorrow, visiting the Senators for the only time this season. Puck drop is set for 7 pm.