Rochester, NY, January 11, 2017 – Nicklas Jensen scored twice, and Brandon Halverson made 31 saves Wednesday night at the Blue Cross Arena, as the Hartford Wolf Pack defeated the Rochester Americans by a score of 3-1.
Matt Carey also scored for the Wolf Pack, who snapped a two-game losing streak, and John Gilmour had two assists. Cole Schneider scored the only Rochester goal.
“Great team effort for the win,” Jensen said. “I think we controlled most of the game. They had 10, 15 minutes in the second period when they had some chances and had some [offensive] zone time, but in the long run I think we played a really solid game, solid defense. We boxed out really well, stuff we talked about before the game, and even if they had o-zone time, it was on the outside. We’re really happy about how we played defensively, and that’s what transferred into our offense tonight.”
The Wolf Pack dominated the first period, jumping out to a 2-0 lead and holding an 11-3 shots advantage over the Americans, who didn’t get their second shot of the period until the 17:22 mark.
Hartford got off to a fast start, with a goal by Jensen on the first shift, just 30 seconds in. Gilmour made a strong rush down the left side and unloaded a shot that went off the side of the net. The puck caromed off of the end boards and right to Jensen at the right side of the goal mouth, and Jensen flicked it into the net past Americans goaltender John Muse (26 saves).
The Wolf Pack power play increased the lead to 2-0 at the 12-minute mark, with Rochester’s Eric Cornel off for tripping. Gilmour set Ryan Graves up for a one-timer from the right point, and Carey deflected it into the net.
After a scoreless second period, the Wolf Pack were outshot 18-10 in the third, but battled the Amerks to a standoff.
Jensen’s second of the game made it 3-0 for the Wolf Pack at 2:53, as Jensen and Pavel Buchnevich broke on a 2-on-1 and Buchnevich fed to Jensen in the right circle for the finish.
Schneider, the former UConn Husky, foiled Halverson’s shutout bid on a power play at 6:47, with Jensen in the penalty box for slashing. Halverson stopped a shot from the top of the slot by Evan Rodrigues, but the rebound slid just away from him, and Schneider pushed the loose puck into the net.