Wolf Pack advances, division finals begin tonight in Hershey

Story and Photo By: Matthew Wiernasz

HARTFORD, CT- The Hartford Wolf Pack eliminated the Providence Bruins 4-0 last Friday at the XL Center in Hartford winning the series 3-1. The Wolf Pack will take on the Hershey Bears in the AHL Calder Cup Atlantic Division finals.

Turner Elson got the Wolf Pack on the board 3:40 into the opening period. Wolf Pack forward Ryan Carpenter made the pass to Elson. The initial shot taken by Elson was saved by Bruins goaltender Brandon Bussi. Elson was able to put in his own rebound to make it 1-0.

Jake Leschyshyn scored his first playoff goal five minutes into the second period. Tim Gettinger would take the shot but the save was made by Bussi. Players would crash the net as Leschyshyn put the puck over the red line to make it 2-0. Officials did review the goal and the call on the ice was a good goal.

The Wolf Pack would then go up by three goals with almost five minutes remaining in the second period. Jonny Brodzinski took the shot and Bussi made the save. The rebound went to Ryan Carpenter and Carpenter fired the shot passed Bussi to make it 3-0.

The Bruins would pull Bussi with eight minutes left in regulation. Leschyshyn would take advantage and score an empty net goal and his second goal of the game to make it 4-0.

Wolf Pack goaltender Dylan Garand earn the shutout and his second one of the series.

The Wolf Pack will now focus on the Hershey Bears in the AHL Calder Cup Atlantic Division Finals in a best of five series. The series will begin tonight at the Giant Center in Hershey with the drop of puck at 7:00 p.m. Game 2 will be on Saturday in Hershey with game time beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Game 3 will be at the XL Center in Hartford this upcoming Wednesday at 7:00 p.m and game 4 if necessary will be next Friday at the XL Center at 7:00 p.m. Game 5 if necessary will return to Hershey on Tuesday, May 23.