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12/20/98 Pack Falter as they Lose 4-2 against Saint
John’s The Pack entered tonight’s game in front of 6,332 at the HCC after an OT win last night. In which Alexi Vasiliev #8 notched his first American goal at 3:53 of the OT session, to give the pack the 3-2 win. This is the final meeting of a two game series against the Maple Leaves. Ken Gernander was awarded the AHL Planet USA all-star Captain Jersey prior to the games start. It was Gernander who had the Pack’s first good look at the net off a pass from Bob Errey. However is was Saint John’s who scored first. Jason Sessa shot it low past Whitmore for his 6th goal of the season.
Midway through the 2nd period Brennan shot the puck up the ice to PJ Stock who found it along the boards. Gaining control of the bouncing puck and breaking free of DJ Smith. Stock found himself all alone in Saint John’s zone. Stock skated to the circle wound up and shot, right through Robitaille’s legs. Stock scored his 1st goal of the 1998-1998 season. And gave the pack the equalizer at 7:18. "I was actually hoping that I could play it off the rebound, I didn’t get much on it, but I was also hoping that it would bounce of the goalie and –Gernander-- was right there, I just got lucky." Says PJ Stock. 5:13 later Saint John’s pulls ahead again as Ryan Pepperall assisted by Shawn Thornton nutmegs Whitmore. Hartford was once again goal hunting.
At 5:28 into the 3rd period Podollan was called for roughing. Soon after the pack was charged with 2 penalties, Errey with high sticking and Ken Gernander a 10 min game misconduct, at 5:54. Podollan returned to the ice to be called for another penalty, this time tripping. That’s not all, penalties continued to rain down on both sides. At 8:30 of the 3rd Errey and Aaron Brand were both called for roughing. Mark Pasmyk was called for high-sticking along Morton and Whitehall charged with slashing. It was Stock who finally took control of the game again. After winning a face off in Saint John’s zone --some thing the pack has been suffering with as of late--. Stock kicked the puck out to Thompson at the blue line. Thompson gained control of the puck wound up and ripped it past Robitallle. The Pack’s second equalizer gave a glimmer of optimism. However it was short lived as Podillan took things into his own hands and scored on the faltering Kay Whitmore unassisted at 13:26 of the third period. The score now 3-2 the Pack needed some magic. The Pixi dust must have been left at home, because the Pack continued to break down. With more penalties, and players flopping on the ice, incomplete passes, and plays misread, it was not a pretty sight. As a last resort Whitmore was pulled for an extra attacker, Saint John’s scored on the empty net, and time expired.
The Wolf Pack were packing up for their long bus ride up to Canada tonight, lacking a high morale. Needless to say tonight’s game against Fredericton is a must win situation.
Comments or questions email Zac Champ |
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