Wolf Pack Stunned by Senators 2-1

After losing another late lead on Friday night in Laval, the Hartford Wolf Pack returned to action on Saturday night seeking to salvage the weekend. The Wolf Pack visited Belleville for the only time this season for a matchup against the Senators.

The teams played a tightly-contested game, with the score knotted at one late in the contest. However, the Wolf Pack had their hearts broken, conceding a late goal to fall 2-1 to the B-Sens.

Wheelin' and Dylan

For the second straight night, the Wolf Pack played a strong opening frame. They'd outshoot the Sens 11-6 in the first 20 minutes. They'd also find the icebreaker for the second straight night, this time courtesy of Dylan Roobroeck. Brett Berard carried the puck into the Belleville zone and slid a pass to Roobroeck in the slot. The big man ripped a shot that fooled Jackson Parsons, giving the Wolf Pack the game's first lead.

The goal was Roobroeck's third of the season. With the primary assist on the goal, Berard recorded his second point in as many nights. The Wolf Pack would take the 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Bewildered in Belleville

Hartford fell into more discipline issues in the middle frame. They'd be sent to the box four times in the period, allowing the Senators to dominate play. Belleville outshot the Wolf Pack 18-8 in the stanza, with former New York Ranger forward Arthur Kaliyev finding the equalizer. With Gavin Hain in the box for holding, Kaliyev buried a rebound by Talyn Boyko to even the score at one. However, Boyko stood tall otherwise, and the tie held as the teams entered the second intermission.

The two teams played an absolute track meet of a third period, trading chances up and down the ice. Hartford killed off another pair of penalties, and looked primed for a chance at the win after earning a power play with 1:24 to play in regulation.

With Stephen Halliday in the box for tripping, the Wolf Pack set up on the man advantage. However, bad puck control allowed the Senators to get a rush the other way. Boyko made an initial stop, but Belleville kept control. With Jan Jeník providing a screen, Philippe Daoust sniped a shot through Boyko's five-hole to give the Senators a 2-1 lead with just three seconds to play. The score would remain the same as the final buzzer hit, and the Wolf Pack suffered a heartbreaking defeat in another game in which they played well.

The Wolf Pack have now been tied or leading when entering the third period in each of their last four games. Over that stretch, they are 0-2-2-0, managing just two out of a possible eight points. That's not a formula for success, and it's something they'll need to sort out quickly. AHL teams do have a bit longer to sort things out than their parent clubs do - six out of the Atlantic Division's eight teams will make the Calder Cup Playoffs - but if the Wolf Pack don't find a way to finish games out soon, it won't end up mattering come April.

Up Next

The Wolf Pack cap off their road trip on Wednesday, November 12th, visiting the Providence Bruins. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm.

The Wolf Pack return to the PeoplesBank Arena on Friday, November 14th, hosting the Rochester Americans. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm.