Wolf Pack Fall to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 5-2 Home Opener Loss

BREAKING: The Hartford Wolf Pack suffered a disappointing defeat in their home opener, falling to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins with a score of 5-2 on Friday night at PeoplesBank Arena. The Penguins established an early lead that proved insurmountable for the Wolf Pack as the team seeks to bounce back.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton took control of the game early, securing a commanding 3-0 lead by the end of the second period. Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Atley Calvert each netted goals in the first period, followed by Avery Hayes adding a third goal just minutes into the second period.

The Wolf Pack, now at 0-2-0-0 for the season, finally broke through when Gabe Perreault scored at 16:41 of the second period, with assists from Dylan Roobroeck and Blake Hillman. This moment sparked a brief resurgence, with Adam Sykora narrowing the gap to 3-2 at 6:50 of the third, assisted by Derrick Pouliot and Conner Mackey.

However, the Penguins responded swiftly, with Calvert scoring his second goal at 11:53 in the final period, restoring their two-goal cushion. The game concluded with Tristan Broz sealing the victory with an empty-netter at 17:53.

In goal, Sergei Murashov made an impressive 28 saves for the Penguins, while Dyland Garand stopped 27 shots for Hartford. The Wolf Pack will look to regroup quickly as they prepare to face the Providence Bruins tomorrow at 7:05 p.m.

Fans and players alike are feeling the pressure to turn this season around after a tough start. The urgency is palpable as Hartford gears up for their next challenge. Stay tuned for updates on the Wolf Pack’s performance as the season progresses.