Wolf Pack Blow Another Lead, Fall to Islanders 5-1

The Hartford Wolf Pack capped off their first three-in-three of the season on Sunday afternoon. They traveled down to Bridgeport to take on the Islanders in round six of the Battle of Connecticut this season.

The Wolf Pack carried a lead into the third period. However, a total collapse in the final frame allowed Bridgeport to strike five times, giving the Islanders a 5-1 decision.

Jar-Road Warrior

The Wolf Pack got a few good shifts early, but Bridgeport would control the bulk of the opening period. They got a pair of power play bids as Dylan Roobroeck and Derrick Pouliot sat for delay of game and tripping, respectively. However, strong play from Dylan Garand in net prevented the Islanders from breaking the ice in the opening frame.

At the other end, Marcus Högberg denied all nine shots he faced from the Wolf Pack, sending the game into the first intermission in a scoreless tie.

Hartford finally broke the ice just under eight minutes into the second period. Justin Dowling won a faceoff in the Bridgeport zone, and Brett Berard corralled the puck. Berard tapped the feed to Brandon Scanlin at the blue line, setting up the chance. Scanlin uncorked a shot that clipped Jaroslav Chmelař in the slot and went tumbling by Högberg to put the Wolf Pack on top.

The goal was Chmelař's fifth of the season. Additionally, the assist on the goal extended Scanlin's point streak to four straight games. Scanlin has recorded four points (1 G, 3 A) over that stretch.

The remainder of the frame saw both teams get power play bids, but neither netminder would concede a goal, sending the game to the second intermission with the Wolf Pack up 1-0.

Can't Close Out

The third period was all Bridgeport. Isaiah George tied the game, speeding into the Hartford zone after catching the Wolf Pack in a bad line change. Garand denied the inital bid, but George roofed the rebound to even the score at one two and a half minutes into the period.

Pouliot took a slashing call just over three minutes into the final frame. The penalties would come back to Hartford as Hunter Drew slammed home a rebound to give the Islanders a lead they wouldn't lose.

Eetu Liukas, Liam Foudy, and Sean Day all added insurance markers to secure the 5-1 final.

"It's mental errors," Wolf Pack head coach Grant Potulny remarked to Blueshirt Banter after the game. "The first two goals [against] are things the players know they shouldn't be doing. Mentally, just weren't there."

The loss represents the second time this weekend the Wolf Pack have seen a lead evaporate - they lost a 4-2 lead in Springfield on Friday, a game that ultimately ended 7-4 in favor of the Thunderbirds.

"You take the nine periods this weekend. We end up having major league blunders in stretches that cost us two games," Potulny told Blueshirt Banter.

It's two very important games as well - the Wolf Pack now sit in sole position of last place in the Atlantic Division. They're two points behind Bridgeport and three points behind Springfield, who occupy the sixth and final playoff spot in the division.

Up Next

The Wolf Pack will head on a four-game road trip, kicking it off on Wednesday night in Hershey against the Bears. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm.

The Wolf Pack will return home on Friday, January 23rd, hosting the Islanders. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm.