Wolf Pack Fall to Thunderbirds 4-3 in Season Finale

The Hartford Wolf Pack wrapped up the 2025-26 campaign on Saturday night, visiting the Springfield Thunderbirds for the final round of the I-91 Rivalry this season.

The Wolf Pack put forth a valiant effort, firing 40 shots on goal. However, the equalizer would elude them on this night, and the Thunderbirds took a 4-3 decision to wrap up the 2025-26 campaign.

Brisson to Your Heart

The Thunderbirds would tally the game's first three goals. Dillon Dube struck twice in the opening frame, first at 14:14, then again at 19:07, to give Springfield a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

Juraj Pekarcik put the home side up by three just over five minutes into the second period, forcing a turnover and ripping a shot past Callum Tung.

However, the Wolf Pack started to turn the tides in their favor. Trey Fix-Wolansky picked off a pass from Theo Lindstein and powered into the offensive zone. Fix-Wolansky dropped the puck for Carey Terrance, who sent one more feed to Brendan Brisson on the back door. Brisson fired a shot that clipped Lindstein's stick and found the back of the net to get the Wolf Pack on the board.

The goal was Brisson's 18th of the season, and it gave Hartford momentum to get back into the contest.

Headed to the Thomp

The Wolf Pack cut the lead to one five minutes later. Otto Stenberg lost control of the puck in his own zone, and Aidan Thompson picked up the loose change. Thompson walked to the right circle before blasting a shot by the blocker of Will Cranley to draw the visitors within one.

The goal was Thompson's eighth of the season, as well as his second as a member of the Wolf Pack.

However, the Thunderbirds would reinstate the two-goal margin just 33 seconds later. Hugh McGing scored his third goal in his last two games against the Wolf Pack, firing a shot from the left circle to give the home side a 4-2 lead heading into the third period.

#19 for #19

The Wolf Pack would once again draw within one just under four minutes into the final frame. A high-sticking call against Simon Robertsson gave the Wolf Pack their first power play bid of the contest. On the ensuing power play, Fix-Wolansky found Brody Lamb down low, and the rookie forward tried to stuff the puck home. Cranley denied the initial attempt, and a scramble for the loose puck ensued. Brisson finally found the puck and jammed it into the net for the power play marker and his second tally of the contest.

The goal was Brisson's 19th of the season, tying his previous career high, set with the Henderson Silver Knights during the 2023-24 season.

However, Cranley would slam the door shut from there. The Springfield netminder made 14 saves in the final frame to secure the victory for the home side.

The Wolf Pack end the 2025-26 season with a 26-38-5-3 record and 60 points. It's the first time they've finished last in the conference since the 2016-17 campaign.

Up Next

The game officially wraps up the Wolf Pack's season. They'll be back in action next October, commemorating their 30th season in the Connecticut capital.