Adam Sýkora nets first AHL goal as Wolf Pack Soundly defeat Thunderbirds 5-1
The Hartford Wolf Pack welcomed the Springfield Thunderbirds to the XL Center for this season’s ‘School Day Game’, their third of ten meetings during the 2023-24 campaign. Five Wolf Pack players found the back of the net, including Adam Sýkora who buried his first AHL goal as the Wolf Pack comfortably knocked off the Thunderbirds 5-1.
Alex Belzile found the back of the net for his 4th goal of the season 10:59 into the contest. Jonny Brodzinski drew in a defender behind the net before executing a pinpoint spinning pass to Belzile who one-timed it over the shoulder of Vadim Zherenko to make it a 2-0 game. The goal would stand as the game-winner.
Hartford was shot out of a cannon in the opening minutes, forcing Zherenko to make some tough saves out of the gate. Brett Berard’s hard work drew a tripping penalty to give the Wolf Pack an early powerplay.
The Wolf Pack made quick work on the man advantage as Brodzinski scored his team-leading 8th goal of the season at 5:05 to put Hartford up 1-0. Zherenko made the initial save on a point shot from Matthew Robertson, but Belzile sent the rebound to a lurking Brodzinski on the far post who made no mistake about it.
Just over five minutes later, Belzile would strike for the third time in as many games against the Thunderbirds to extend the lead.
To cap off a stellar first period, Sýkora buried his first career AHL goal at 18:53 to put Hartford up 3-0. Turner Elson pulled in two Thunderbirds before hitting a streaking Sýkora who beat Zherenko up high. Riley Nash was credited with the secondary assist as he sprung Elson on the rush.
The second period began in a similar fashion to the prior frame, with the Wolf Pack stringing together high-octane shifts in the offensive zone keeping Zherenko on his toes. Springfield’s first grade-A chance came from Wyatt Kalynuk who was robbed by the glove of Louis Domingue at point-blank range.
Nikolas Brouillard scored his 2nd of the season at 12:58 to make it 4-0 Wolf Pack. Brouillard snuck into a wild scrum in front of the net to bury a rebound. Matt Rempe recorded his first assist of the season, while Elson recorded his second assist of the game.
Two and a half minutes later, Springfield got on the board courtesy of Mathias Lafferiere’s first goal of the season, making it 4-1 at 15:20. Laferriere fired a shot through traffic from the right-wing circle that hit a body on the way to get by Domingue.
Springfield would have another golden opportunity minutes later as Laferriere was sprung on a breakaway, but this time Domingue came up with the save. Robertson was penalized for high-sticking in the final minute, giving Springfield some powerplay time to start period three.
It was a stalemate in the opening minutes of the third before Adam Edström netted his fourth goal of the season to make it 5-1 at 5:54. Connor Mackey’s initial point shot was blocked, but his second try was tipped by a screening Edström. Mackey and Brouillard had the assists, giving both two points in the contest.
The physicality ramped up as the period progressed, but the score remained the same. The Wolf Pack got back to their winning ways on home ice with a 5-1 victory over the Thunderbirds. Domingue recorded 23 saves in another confident outing.
The Wolf Pack take on the Syracuse Crunch in a home-and-home series this weekend, with the latter of the games coming this Saturday night at the XL Center! Tickets are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com, and the puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
Share your Hartford Wolf Pack experience with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram
Click here for 2023-2024 Hartford Wolf Pack Home Schedule
Click here for more Hartford Wolf Pack news
Click here for events in Hartford
Click here for events in Hartford County
••••••••••••
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.
•••••••••••••
Stay connected with us:
Connecticut merch by town store
Connecticut with us on Instagram, Facebook , Tiktok, Twitter
Check out our popular pages: Help Wanted, Real Estate, Connecticut Sports
For the latest nightlife info across Connecticut join 203socialclub & 860socialclub.
Finding Connecticut is operated and hosted by Victory Designs • Graphic design • Web • Social Media
•••••
Connecticut savings:
Looking for help with anxiety, sleep, and inflammation? Shop New England Hemp Farm and save 35% by using promo code Findingconnecticut35 on your first order then save
20% by using promo code findingconnecticut20 on orders after. New England Hemp Farm also has free shipping through out the United States.
••••••
Visit our other sites:
Finding Greenwich • Finding Stamford • Finding Darien • Finding New Canaan • Finding Wilton. • Finding Ridgefield • Finding Easton • Finding Weston • Finding Westport • Finding Fairfield • Finding Bridgeport
Finding Fairfield County • Finding Connecticut
•••••••
Proceeds of our Maine Collection are being donated to the families of the victims of the Lewiston Shooting that happened on October 25, 2023. If you purchase non-Maine items and would like to have the proceeds donated then please let us know via email by sending over your order number.
Links to our popular Maine Collections: The Way Fall Should Be • Maine Leaves • Maine Flags • Leaf Peepin’ • Lewiston • Auburn • Two O’ Seven
If you would like to send us a donation via PayPal (click the link) or Venmo (@findingconnecticut, please note donation)
As a Connecticut media site we stand with the victims and the Lewiston/Auburn community we are #lewistonstrong
Our popular Connecticut collections Two O’ Three • Eight Six O’ • 203 • 860 • Connecticut Flag • Just a kid from Connecticut • I Reallly Really Miss Connecticut
As a Connecticut media site we stand with the victims and the Lewiston/Auburn community