It’s no secret that the Hartford Wolf Pack must win a lot of games to make a push for the Calder Cup playoffs. They only have 16 games left in the season and trail the Springfield Thunderbirds by nine points for the final spot while trailing the Lehigh Valley Phantoms by 10 points. The odds are stacked against the Wolf Pack to secure a spot, but they can make it happen.
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The Wolf Pack are having a rough season, yet the recent games have suggested they can go on a run. After a 6-5 win on Feb. 22 against the Providence Bruins, they have earned points in four of their last five games and are coming off a 6-3 statement victory on March 5 against the Bridgeport Islanders. “We’re finding ways to win right now, and we can only control what we can control,” Alex Belzile noted after the win over the Islanders, one that provided the blueprint for a late-season push.
Garand’s Great Recent Play
Dylan Garand is one of the best goaltenders in the American Hockey League (AHL) and was one of the All-Star selections. It’s why his slumps this season were puzzling and frustrating. In a six-game stretch, he allowed 28 goals before putting together a strong performance on March 1 against the Utica Comets.
“I think Dylan’s coming back into form; he looks comfortable again,” head coach Grant Potulny mentioned after the 6-3 win over the Islanders. Garand allowed only one goal in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Comets and then saved 38 shots in the latest victory. It’s a sign that he’s turning a corner and, once again, looks like the elite goaltender who can carry the Wolf Pack.
Garand’s style of play leaves room for errors and inconsistency. He’ll be lights out for stretches but then become a liability the next week. For now, he’s seeing the puck well and making the big saves when needed. “When Dylan’s playing his best, there’s no rebounds,” noted Potulny, which is a key part of helping the defense out and giving the team a much-needed boost.
Brannstrom & an Improved Defense
When the New York Rangers acquired J.T. Miller, one of the players added to the deal was Erik Brannstrom. He’s a journeyman defenseman who was brought in with the hopes of fixing the Wolf Pack defense. He suffered an injury shortly after the acquisition, but was back in the lineup in the recent game and he made his presence felt.
Brannstrom only had one assist against the Islanders but he made a bigger impact than the scoresheet indicates. He was moving the puck up the ice and skating with the Islanders forwards to limit them on the rush. Brannstrom is a smaller skater who can handle the puck and operate from the point and he rounds out a defense that is starting to take shape.
The defense has been an issue all season, allowing shots on the net and struggling to move the puck out of the defensive zone. It’s finally coming into form with Brannstrom leading the way while Connor Mackey, Blake Hillman, and Chad Ruhwedel round out the unit.
Hartford’s Anchors on Offense
Belzile and Anton Blidh are the veterans on the offense. In a season where players have moved up and down from the ECHL to the AHL to the NHL while others have been sidelined due to injury, they’ve remained and carried the forward unit. Playing on the same line with Nathan Sucese, they are the experienced skaters who set the tone.
Belzile has the Islanders’ number this season. He scored a hat trick on Dec. 4 in a 6-1 win and has four goals and 11 assists against the last-place team. That said, he’s been the top player on the offensive end of the ice all season. “I can count on my fingers how many games he’s been off,” Potulny noted after the win over the Islanders. Belzile’s consistency and effort are the reasons why he has 16 goals and 34 assists despite not being the most talented skater on the ice. “I use him as an example for the young guys. He’s so competitive,” continued Potulny.
Belzile is the complete forward, while Blidh is the scorer with 17 goals on the season, and it’s given the Wolf Pack a line they can lean on. The offense has struggled all season but with the team in the home stretch, they have a handful of skaters they can rely on.
Other Reasons a Playoff Push Seems Likely
Along with Garand rebounding, Louis Domingue has stepped up in recent starts. In his Feb. 28 start against the Thunderbirds, he stopped 25 of the 28 shots he faced and then stopped six of the seven shootout attempts to allow the Wolf Pack to win the game 4-3. With the goaltending duo stepping up, this team is set up to go on a run and make a late-season push.
The other noticeable trait recently is increased depth scoring. The Maxim Barbashev, Brett Budgell, and Chase McLaughlin line scored a goal in the 6-3 win over the Islanders, and the game was an impressive showing from the entire forward unit. “They’re bringing energy, and they’re responsible. They know the system,” Potulny noted after the game.
The entire team stepping up will be pivotal as the Wolf Pack finish the season. They might miss the playoffs but they can play competitive hockey down the stretch and make it close. The late-season push will only happen with the depth stepping up. “It speaks to how we have to play,” Potulny stated to wrap up the postgame presser.
