Wolf Pack Sink Islanders 3-2 in Key Matchup

Fresh off a four-game swing through Pennsylvania that saw them post a 3-1-0-0 record, the Hartford Wolf Pack returned to the PeoplesBank Arena on Friday night for another crucial matchup. They welcomed the Bridgeport Islanders to town for round seven of the Battle of Connecticut this season.

The in-state rivals played another close contest. In the end, the Wolf Pack would find the necessary goal, edging the Islanders 3-2 and securing their fourth win in their last five games.

He's Got the Juus

Bridgeport would open the scoring in the contest. Jackson Dorrington took a tripping penalty, initiating the first power play of the contest. On the ensuing man advantage, Liam Foudy poked a puck through Dylan Garand to open the scoring. The Hartford netminder protested for interference, but officials awarded Foudy the tally after a review, giving the visitors the lead just under seven minutes into the game.

However, the Wolf Pack would respond just over a minute later. Derrick Pouliot settled the puck down behind the Hartford goal and allowed Trey Fix-Wolansky to collect it. Fix-Wolansky sped down the ice, worked around the Bridgeport defense, and threw the puck to the slot. The feed clipped Juuso Pärssinen, powering towards the net, and trickled by Henrik Tikkanen to tie the game at one.

The goal was Pärssinen's first of the season. The contest was also Pärssinen's first since November 28th, 2025, where he suffered an upper-body injury against the Cleveland Monsters.

Can You Believe Briss?

The Wolf Pack took the lead three minutes later. Garand settled a dump-in attempt and sent a stretch pass to Fix-Wolansky at neutral ice. The veteran winger pulled the Bridgeport defense out of position before slipping a feed to Brendan Brisson, streaking into the offensive zone. Brisson ripped a shot that squeaked under the arm of Tikkanen and into the net, putting the Wolf Pack in front.

The goal was Brisson's tenth of the season. Brisson is the third Wolf Pack player to notch ten goals on the campaign, joning Fix-Wolansky and Gabe Perreault. The Wolf Pack would take the 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

The second period saw plenty of action between the teams, but neither found the net. Garand stopped all six shots he saw, while Tikkanen denied nine Wolf Pack bids. Hartford killed of a pair of penalties in the middle frame, while Bridgeport killed one to send the game to the second intermission with the score still 2-1 Wolf Pack.

Dowling Dagger

Bridgeport continued to press throughout the final frame. A roughing call against Dylan Roobroeck gave them a power play bid early in the period, but the Wolf Pack penalty kill came up big to prevent the equalizer.

Eventually, Bridgeport lifted Tikkanen for the extra skater as they sought the late game-tying tally. However, Justin Dowling backhanded a long shot that nailed the empty net to put the game out of reach.

Chris Terry tallied a late six-on-five goal to get the visitors back within one, but the intrigue ended there, and the Wolf Pack hung on for a massive 3-2 win over their in-state rivals.

"Something we've talked about from the start of the year is, what can you do to have repeatable success," Wolf Pack head coach Grant Potulny told Blueshirt Banter following the contest. "It's forechecking, staying above the puck, defending fast and hard. It's having great structure, it's being a smart player. Those things have started to come together for us."

"Tonight, we had a really good game," Garand remarked to Blueshirt Banter after the game. "We've kind of struggled a bit over the year putting a full sixty together. I thought that was one of our best efforts."

The win ties the Wolf Pack with Bridgeport in the standings - each has 37 points on the season. The winner of the season series may be the one to make the Calder Cup Playoffs, while the loser watches from home.

"We like to call these a four-point game," Garand told Blueshirt Banter following the contest. "It's huge to get wins against these guys. Whenever we play them, it's really important."

Up Next

The Wolf Pack will continue their four-game home stand tomorrow night, hosting the Toronto Marlies. Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm.