Wolf Pack hold off Rocket, win 4-2
The Hartford Wolf Pack claimed victory for the fourth time in five games on Saturday night, doubling up the Laval Rocket by a score of 4-2 at the XL Center in Hartford.
Anton Blidh blocked a shot in the defensive zone just over halfway through the second period, denying an offensive push from the Rocket. The puck bounced to Alex Belzile, who weaved through the neutral zone, entered into the offensive zone on the right-wing side, and ripped home his ninth goal of the season over the right shoulder of Connor Hughes at 11:25 to make it 3-0.
The goal was Belzile’s ninth of the season, and was his second point (1 g, 1 a) of the night. It would stand as the eventual game-winning goal.
The Wolf Pack’s penalty kill was the big story of period one. The Rocket had four power plays in the opening stanza but were unable to break the ice.
Following a four-minute, double-minor to Matt Rempe for high-sticking, the Wolf Pack struck first. Adam Sýkora fired a shot from the side of the goal that Hughes was able to stop, but the rebound came right to Sýkora. Sýkora corralled the rebound and snapped his fourth goal of the season by Hughes at 18:50.
Ben Harpur and Jake Leschyshyn picked up the assists, with Leschyshyn’s helper extending his point streak to four games (5 g, 1 a).
Leschyshyn extended his goal-scoring streak to four games 9:24 into the second period, ballooning the lead to 2-0. On the club’s second power play of the game, Matthew Robertson ripped a shot from the blue line that Leschyshyn got a piece of, beating Hughes for his sixth goal of the season.
Leschyshyn has five goals over his four-game scoring streak, with four of them coming on the power play.
Belzile’s goal made it 3-0, giving him his third game-winning goal of the season.
The goal chased Hughes from the game 31:25 in. He ended his night with eight saves on eleven shots. Luke Cavallin entered the game, making his Rocket debut.
Zack Hayes got the Rocket on the board 3:34 into the third period, beating Dylan Garand from the left-wing circle. The goal snapped a 167:02 shutout streak for Garand, dating back to Dec. 4.
The goal was Hayes’ second of the season.
Sean Farrell then potted his first goal in 31 games at 13:16, making it 3-2. Farrell took puck possession and lapped around the offensive zone before flinging a perfectly placed puck towards the goal that beat Garand high.
Despite a great push in the final moments, 3-2 was as close as the Rocket would get it. Garand made a series of tremendous saves down the stretch, then Harpur cemented the game with an empty net goal at 19:54. The goal was his first of the season, and his second point of the night (1 g, 1 a).
The Wolf Pack hit the road tomorrow to take on the Providence Bruins at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. The puck drop is set for 4:05 p.m., and coverage is available on AHLTV on FloHockey and Mixlr starting at 3:50 p.m. with ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’.
The Pack is back at the XL Center on Friday, Dec. 20, when the Bruins come to town! Join us for $2 drafts and $2 hot dogs until the end of the first intermission!
The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.
Share your Hartford Wolf Pack experience with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram
Click here for the 2024-2025 Hartford Wolf Pack Home Schedule
Click here for the latest Hartford Wolf Pack
Click here for the latest news in Hartford
Click here for the upcoming events in Hartford
Click here for the latest news in Hartford County
Click here for upcoming events in Hartford County
Click here for Hartford Merch
#theartfordlife • 860 Hartford • I Clover Hartford • I’d rather be in Hartford • I Really Really Miss Hartford • Just a kid from Hartford • Hartord Coordinates • Hartford Pride
Hartford t shirts • Hartford hoodies • Hartford sweatshirts • Mugs • Stickers • Blankets
Click here for Hartford County Merch
••••• Message center •••••••
Finding Connecticut Gift & Event Guide
Did you miss our annual Connecticut Gift & Event guide post? You can read it here. It has everything to Connecticut merch to Connecticut based authors and books to over 50+ events around the Connecticut.
OnWashington gift card
One card, multiple choices! The gift that’s a sure thing-the OnWashington Gift Card, a community-based digital gift card that is a wonderful way to support local small businesses. Consumers can purchase an OnWashington E-Card to send as a gift which can be used at participating restaurants, shops, and salons that are part of AGW SONO Partners’ extensive Washington Street Historic District portfolio. With the OnWashington Gift Card, purchasers can write a personal message and send it to family, friends, and colleagues via email, text, or physical copy. All digital and always available on your phone, recipients can choose to spend it at any participating merchant or mix it up and spend flexibly at multiple locations. Current OnWashington Gift Card merchants include: Eco Evolution, Cheese & Bread, Salon Etre, Tablao Wine Bar, Oishi Sushi & Izakaya, Jean’s Closet, Mecha, Donovan’s, Lazy Sister, Music & Industry, Pokemoto, Himalaya (2025), and more to come! Click here to purchase.
Connecticut Merch
Looking for Connecticut merch? Think of us this holiday season. All proceeds help us grow Finding Connecticut.
Our popular collections 203 • Two o’ Three • 860 • Eight Six O’ • I Really Really Miss Connecticut • Just a kid from Connecticut • Pride • Love & Live • Connecticut Fall
We also have merch by town, not all towns are available yet. You can always contact us and we can order the design you are looking for.
Save 10% on all products with promo code Post10. Always free shipping
Fairfield Theatre Company Events
Sex and the City creator Candace Bushnell brings her True Tales of Sex, Success, and Sex and the City to FTC click here to purchase tickets.
Click here to read our interview with Candace Bushnell.
Fall Cooking Classes
Looking for fall cooking and holiday ideas. Click here for AMG Catering. & Events Fall cooking schedule.
Gourmet Cookies
Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover! Save 20% with code CONNECTICUT24
Hartford Wolf Pack November 2024 home games
12.20.24 – Hartford Wolf Pack vs Providence Bruins click here to purchase tickets
12.28.24 – Hartford Wolf Pack vs Providence Bruins click here to purchase tickets
Movie showtimes at Prospector Theater
Looking to see a movie. Click here for showtimes
Let’s create with Victory Designs
Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.
Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!
Connecticut with us!
Get our news straight into your inbox daily for free!
Stay connected with us on social media
Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Google News • Newsbreak
Join our Reddit community
Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram
Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page
Don’t miss our reviews
Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews
Looking for the latest news by region, topic and events
Latest news by region
Fairfield County • Hartford County • Litchfield County • Middlesex County • New Haven County • New London County• Tolland County • Windham County
Latest sports news by team
Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns •
2024 schedules
Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns
Events by region
Fairfield County • Hartford County • Litchfield County • New Haven County • New London County • Middlesex County • Tolland County • Windham County
Events by Interest
Art • Sports • Family Friendly • History • Concerts • Farmers’ Markets
Events by the month
November 2024 • December 2024 • January 2025 • February 2025 • March 2025 • April 2025 • May 2025 • June 2025 • July 2025 • August 2025 • September 2025 • October 2025 • November 2025 • December 2025
Events by venue
College Street Music Hall • Space Ballroom • Westville Music Bowl • District Music Hall • Fairfield Theatre Company • Hartford Stage • The Bushnell • Goodspeed Opera House • Mohegan Sun • Foxwoods • New York Comedy Club Stamford • Westport Country Playhouse • Goodspeed Opera House