Wolf Pack Drop Heartbreaker to Penguins 3-2

The Hartford Wolf Pack embarked on a season-long eight game road trip on Saturday night. They started the trip in northeastern Pennsylvania, visiting the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the third of six matchups between the division rivals this season.

The Wolf Pack controlled much of the game, but they couldn't push it over the finish line. A late goal against saw them fall to the Penguins by a 3-2 final.

Gawd's Plan

For the second straight night, neither Hartford nor their opponent could find the icebreaker in the opening frame. However, it was not without action. Justin Nachbaur recorded his fourth fight as a member of the Wolf Pack, dropping the gloves with Lucas Ciona just 2:50 into the game.

Callum Tung denied nine shots from the Penguins. At the other end of the ice, the Wolf Pack fired 12 shots on net, but couldn't solve Taylor Gauthier in the first 20 minutes. As a result, the game entered the first intermission in a scoreless tie.

The Wolf Pack finally broke the ice just under five minutes into the middle period. Nathan Aspinall corralled a loose puck behind the Penguins' net and sent a feed to Glenn Gawdin in front. The veteran forward snapped a shot through the five-hole of Gauthier to put the Wolf Pack in front.

The goal was Gawdin's second of the season, as well as his team-leading eighth point of the campaign. Jackson Dorrington picked up the secondary assist on the goal, his first point of the season.

Both teams got looks in the remainder of the period, but no more pucks found the back of the net, sending the game into the second intermission with the Wolf Pack leading 1-0.

The Juus is Loose

Hartford nearly doubled their lead when Marc Del Gaizo potted a power play goal midway through the third period. However, the Penguins challenged, saying the goal was offsides. After review, the tally was disallowed.

Finn Harding would cash in just two minutes later to tie the contest at one.

The Penguins took their first lead of the night four minutes later. Tristan Broz had a spectacular deflection that trickled through the five-hole of Tung to put the home side in front.

The Wolf Pack, however, would not go away. A hooking call against Harrison Brunicke sent Hartford to the man advantage. Tung went to the bench to give Hartford a six-on-four bid.

On the ensuing play, Justin Dowling found Juuso Pärssinen on the backdoor for an easy tip-in goal, tying the game at two.

The goal was Pärssinen's second of the campaign. Liam Greentree, who picked up the secondary assist, extended his point streak to three games. Greentree has recorded three points (2 G, 1 A) across that stretch.

Heartbroke Kids

Less than a minute after Pärssinen's tying goal, the Penguins wrestled the lead back. Owen Pickering launched a slap shot that beat Tung by the glove and gave the home side a lead they wouldn't lose.

Hartford pressed late, but couldn't find another goal, dropping a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to the Penguins.

It's a sour ending to the weekend for Hartford, who will continue their road swing north of the border next week.

Up Next

The Wolf Pack head to Canada for the first time this season on Thursday, October 29, visiting the Hamilton Hammers for the first time ever. Puck drop is set for 7 pm.

The Wolf Pack return to the Connecticut capital on Saturday, November 14, welcoming the Springfield Thunderbirds to town for the first time this season. Puck drop is set for 7:15 pm.