Wolf Pack Fall to Bruins 3-2 in Tight Battle

The Hartford Wolf Pack kicked off a pivotal five-game home stand on Wednesday night. They welcomed the Providence Bruins to town for the final game before the NHL trade deadline.

The Wolf Pack put up another strong effort, but a few unfortunate bounces cost them. Providence would strike in the final minutes of regulation to ultimately take a 3-2 decision.

The Fixer

The Wolf Pack came out of the gate flying, and the hot start helped them tally the first goal. Adam Sýkora carried the puck into the offensive zone on a three-on-two rush before sending a rink-wide pass to Trey Fix-Wolansky. The veteran forward skated to the right circle before rifling a shot past Michael DiPietro to give the Wolf Pack the game's first lead.

The goal was Fix-Wolansky's team-leading 19th of the campaign, and it extended his point streak to four straight games. Hartford carried the 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Poul's Hot

The Wolf Pack doubled their lead just over six minutes into the second period. A double minor for high-sticking against Fabian Lysell gave the Wolf Pack a four minute power play bid.

With just over a minute and a half to go in the man advantage, Dylan Roobroeck corralled a rebound and fed Sýkora in the right circle. Sýkora sent the puck to Derrick Pouliot at the blue line, setting up the chance. The veteran blueliner wound up and fired a one-timer that zipped through traffic and into the net to put the Wolf Pack up by two.

The goal was Pouliot's second of the season.

However, Providence would find their way back into the contest. Frederic Brunet got them on the board after John Farinacci was knocked into Dylan Garand and allowed a shot to get through uncontested. The Wolf Pack protested the goal, but the officials upheld the call.

Riley Tufte tied the contest just over a minute later, tapping home a power play goal with Scott Morrow in the box for tripping. The teams would take the 2-2 tie into the second intermission.

Every Game's Big

The teams traded chances in the final frame, but it would be the Bruins who ultimately found the net. Travis Dermott took a shot directly to the hand, knocking his glove off and taking him out of the play. That allowed Matt Poitras to find a loose puck and tap it past Garand to give Providence the lead for the first time on the night. Two minutes later, they'd take the game with a 3-2 final.

"We got goalied. That's the bottom line," Wolf Pack head coach Grant Potulny told Blueshirt Banter following the contest. "Some of the saves he made, I had to watch them again. I couldn't believe he saved them."

The Wolf Pack are heading into their biggest game of the season, hosting the Bridgeport Islanders on Friday night. That game could make or break their season.

"They're all big. Every game's big down the stretch here," Potulny remarked to Blueshirt Banter. "I'd just like to see a replica of what we did today. We were skating, we were pressuring, we got pucks to the net, we defended well."

"I felt like this game was one of the best we played all year," Sýkora noted to Blueshirt Banter after the game. "We have to continue to do that. We need every point right now, especially against those teams where we're battling for a playoff spot. Friday's one of those games."

Up Next

The Wolf Pack return to action on Friday, hosting the Bridgeport Islanders in the latest installment of the Battle of Connecticut. Puck drop is set for 7 pm.