Wolf Pack blanked 4-0 by Checkers

Hartford Wolf Pack logo • Finding Connecticut

The Hartford Wolf Pack dropped their third consecutive game on Wednesday night, as they fell 4-0 to the Charlotte Checkers at the Bojangles Coliseum. The loss snapped the Pack’s six-game overall point streak (3-0-2-1) and their three-game point streak (2-0-1-0) in Charlotte.

For the second time in the season series, the Wolf Pack and Checkers played an opening stanza without a goal. The Checkers fired 12 shots on Dylan Garand, while the Wolf Pack tested Spencer Knight with four shots on goal. Brett Berard nearly opened the scoring when he curled into the slot and beat Knight by the blocker, but the rookie forward struck the iron to keep the game 0-0.

The Checkers broke a 0-for-19 stretch on the powerplay 3:28 into the second period, breaking the tie. Mike Benning fired a shot from the point that Will Lockwood deflected near the top of the crease. Lockwood’s goal was his sixth of the season and his first against his former team. The goal would stand as the game-winner, Lockwood’s second of the season.

3:53 later, the Checkers made it 2-0 when Wilmer Skoog jammed home a rebound. Skoog fired a shot from the right-wing side that Garand was able to deny. As Garand was playing the rebound to himself, Skoog alertly poked the puck by Garand for his 12^th goal of the season at 7:21.

Patrick Giles got into the action at 11:01, making it 3-0 Checkers with his 12^th goal of the season. Jamieson Rees entered the zone on the left-wing side, slipping behind two Wolf Pack defenders. Rees then connected on a pass with Giles, who buried his third goal in as many contests.

The Wolf Pack started the third period with two separate five-on-three advantages but could not solve Knight. Shortly after the second five-on-three advantage, the Wolf Pack would go to the penalty kill after a high-sticking double-minor was called against Alex Belzile.

Late in the advantage, Mackie Samoskevich would score his third goal in as many games against the Wolf Pack, firing home a one-timer via a cross-ice feed from Ryan McAllister. The goal, Samoskevich’s 18^th of the season, was the second powerplay marker of the night for the Checkers.

The Pack is back at the XL Center on Saturday, March 16^th, when the Utica Comets come to town. The puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m., and tickets are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

Share your Hartford Wolf Pack experience with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram

Click here for the 2023-2024 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

••••• Message center •••••••

Connecticut business owners: Connecticut with us! 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

Stay connected with us on social media Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok Join our Redditcommunity

Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram

Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page

Looking for the latest news by region, topic and events

Foxwoods Resort Casino shares lineup of November events

Finding Connecticut

ICYMI: Our top 5 stories of the week