Dylan Garand makes 31 saves as Wolf Pack Edge Comets 3-2
The Hartford Wolf Pack used a third period goal and a strong performance from netminder Dylan Garand on Saturday night to extend their point streak to three games as they knocked off the Utica Comets 3-2. Garand made 31 saves in the victory, including 25 in the final 40 minutes.
Adam Edström jumped on a rebound 3:40 into the third period, sending a backhand shot by Erik Kallgren to give the Wolf Pack a lead they would not lose on this night. Matthew Robertson fired a shot from the point that Kallgren denied, but Edström found the loose change and buried his third goal of the season. The goal was the first game-winning marker of Edström’s AHL career.
The Comets opened the scoring 16:31 into the contest, as T.J. Friedmann buried the first goal of his AHL career. The Wolf Pack turned the puck over in their own zone, with Timur Ibragimov being the recipient. Ibragimov slid a pass over to Friedmann in the left-wing circle, where he quickly collected the puck and fired it by a diving Garand to break the ice.
Moments later, however, the Wolf Pack would respond. Xavier Parent was whistled for slashing at 18:49, and the Pack needed just eleven seconds to make them pay. Mac Hollowell blasted a one-timer from the left-wing circle that blazed by Kallgren for his first goal as a member of the Wolf Pack. The goal, scored at 19:00, gives Hollowell a league-leading nine-game point streak (1 g, 9 a, 10 pts).
Hartford gained their first lead of the hockey game 13:51 into the middle stanza, as Zach Berzolla notched his first goal of the season in his debut. Berzolla activated down the right-wing side and fired a puck from the short side towards Kallgren. The puck slipped by the Comets goaltender, giving Berzolla his third career AHL goal.
The lead only lasted 1:14 however, as an unfortunate bounce gifted the Comets the tying goal. Joe Gambardella flung a dump-in from the neutral zone that struck the stanchion and bounced into the slot. With Garand out to play the puck, Ryan Schmelzer had a wide-open goal to deposit his second of the season at 15:05.
Edström’s goal would give Hartford the lead for good, but the final stanza wasn’t without drama. The Comets were awarded back-to-back powerplays at 7:42 and 9:44 when Jake Leschyshyn and Blake Hillman were whistled for tripping and high-sticking, respectively.
The Pack killed both penalties off, with Garand making 13 saves in the final stanza to preserve the victory. The Wolf Pack penalty kill would end the night five-for-five overall.
The Wolf Pack’s season-long five-game road trip concludes Friday night when they visit the Bridgeport Islanders. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., with ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 6:45 p.m. on AHLTV and Mixlr.
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
••••••••••••
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