Wolf Pack Suffer 5-2 Loss to Providence Bruins

After a tough loss last night in their home opener, the Hartford Wolf Pack hit the road. They aimed to bounce back as they visited the Providence Bruins for the first time this season.

However, the Wolf Pack once again struggled with turnovers in the contest. Providence capitalized, putting the Wolf Pack in a hole they couldn't climb out of before taking a 5-2 decision.

Jaro's Back in PRO

For the second night in a row, the Wolf Pack conceded the first goal. An extended sequence in the Hartford zone saw Fabian Lysell find Jonathan Aspirot alone at the blueline. Aspirot stepped into the feed and blasted a shot that whizzed through traffic and by Talyn Boyko, putting the Bruins on top early.

The Wolf Pack would respond about four minutes later. Officials called a delayed penalty against the Bruins, but a strong forecheck from Hartford kept the play alive. Eventually, Derrick Pouliot slid a pass to Jaroslav Chmelař at the top of the zone. Chmelař walked in and rifled a shot from the top of the circle that beat Šimon Zajíček by the blocker.

The goal was the first of the year for Chmelař, who played college hockey for the Providence Friars.

Familiar Feelings

During the remainder of the frame, the Wolf Pack once again fell into turnover trouble. Riley Tufte put the P-Bruins back in the lead, hammering home a feed on the backdoor.

Dans Ločmelis stretched the lead to two just 36 seconds later. Anton Blidh fumbled a puck in the offensive zone, allowing Matěj Blümel to take control. Blümel sent a stretch pass to Ločmelis, who converted on the partial breakaway with a rip by Boyko's blocker. Providence would take the 3-1 lead into the first intermission.

Fixy Finds the Net

Just 49 seconds into the middle frame, Billy Sweezey pushed the lead to three. Sweezey cut to the goal and stuffed the puck through Boyko's pads.

Georgii Merkulov gave the opposition their biggest lead of the night eleven minutes into the frame. His centering feed ricocheted off a Hartford skate and into the net.

Trey Fix-Wolansky would answer back for the Wolf Pack just over a minute later. Connor Mackey slid a pass to Fix-Wolansky, and the veteran forward ripped a shot through traffic and into the Providence net.

The goal was Fix-Wolansky's team-leading second of the season, and the 5-2 deficit remained heading into the second intermission.

The Wolf Pack had plenty of opportunities in the final frame, outshooting Providence by ten. They also earned a pair of power play bids. However, the Wolf Pack simply couldn't find their way back into the game, falling 5-2 to their rivals from Rhode Island.

Robo's in the Record Books

We interrupt this Wolf Pack recap to mention that former Wolf Pack defenseman Matthew Robertson scored his first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. The goal was also Robertson's first NHL point.

Robertson spent four seasons with the Wolf Pack, suiting up in 260 total regular season and playoff contests. His 250 regular season games played for Hartford are 12th-most in franchise history.

Robertson made serious strides in his game last year, scoring a career high 25 points and making improvements on both sides of the puck. I named him the Wolf Pack's Most Improved Player at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. After winning the seventh defenseman spot with the Rangers out of camp, Robertson has impressed while filling in for the injured Carson Soucy. I'm extremely happy for him finally carving out a role for himself and scoring his first NHL goal!

Up Next

The Wolf Pack will return home on Wednesday, October 22nd, hosting the Springfield Thunderbirds for the first iteration of the I-91 Rivalry this season. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm.