The Hartford Wolf Pack finally gave their fans a reason to cheer on Wednesday night, snapping a frustrating three-game losing streak with a commanding 3-0 shutout win over the Springfield Thunderbirds at PeoplesBank Arena. After stumbling out of the gate to start their 2025-26 campaign, the Wolf Pack’s redemption story unfolded in front of a lively Hartford crowd, with goaltender Dylan Garand stealing the spotlight and the penalty kill unit rising to the occasion time and time again.
It was a night when everything seemed to click for the Wolf Pack, who entered the contest desperate for a turnaround. Garand, who had notched 49 career AHL wins before the puck dropped, was simply unbeatable between the pipes. By the final horn, he had turned aside all 28 Springfield shots, earning his first shutout of the season and, notably, the 50th win of his AHL career. "Starting 0-3 didn't sit well for us," Garand told Blueshirt Banter after the contest. "We knew that we could raise our compete level. It was kind of a win-or-die mindset for me. Obviously, a good result."
But Garand’s heroics were only part of the story. The Wolf Pack’s penalty kill unit was nothing short of spectacular, going a perfect eight-for-eight against a Thunderbirds power play that had every opportunity to change the game’s momentum. Springfield, for their part, was given a golden chance to open the scoring early when the Wolf Pack took two quick penalties, leading to a lengthy five-on-three advantage. Yet, time and again, Garand and his teammates shut the door, frustrating the Thunderbirds’ top shooters and keeping the game scoreless through the first period.
Springfield’s inability to capitalize on their power play chances proved costly. Despite racking up eight opportunities with the extra man, including a few stretches where they peppered Garand with shots, they simply couldn’t break through. According to the official game summary, Garand made 13 saves in the first period alone, including nine off the sticks of Samuel Johannesson, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Juraj Pekarcik. Both teams had their chances in the opening frame—Otto Stenberg for Springfield and Connor Mackey for Hartford each rang shots off the post—but neither side could find the back of the net before the first intermission.
The game’s turning point came about eight minutes into the second period. With the Wolf Pack pressing, Bryce McConnell-Barker intercepted a careless Springfield breakout pass, charged into the left circle, and wired a shot high to the stick side of Thunderbirds goalie Georgi Romanov. The puck hit the twine, and the Wolf Pack had their first lead of the night—and the season. It was McConnell-Barker’s first goal of the year, and it sent a jolt through the Hartford bench.
Springfield continued to draw penalties, but Hartford’s penalty kill remained flawless, stifling every attempt and keeping the Thunderbirds off the scoreboard. As the second period expired, the Wolf Pack clung to their 1-0 lead, buoyed by Garand’s calm presence and their newfound defensive discipline.
The third period saw the Wolf Pack take control for good. At 8:38, Anton Blidh battled for the puck along the boards, spun behind the net, and found rookie Carey Terrance parked in front. Terrance wasted no time, blasting home his first professional goal and doubling Hartford’s lead. The excitement was palpable—Terrance joined Gabe Perreault as Wolf Pack players to notch their first pro goals this season, a promising sign for the team’s youth movement.
Springfield, desperate to spoil Garand’s shutout, pulled Romanov for an extra attacker in the final minute. But the Wolf Pack weren’t about to let this one slip away. Adam Sýkora pounced on a loose puck and buried it into the empty net, sealing the 3-0 victory and sending the Hartford faithful into celebration mode.
For head coach Grant Potulny, the win was a validation of the team’s work ethic and identity. "[Tonight's game] is more of what I thought I would see to start the year," Potulny told Blueshirt Banter. "We had to build our foundation, which is a work-based, forechecking team. Tonight, I thought we did a really nice job of that." The coach was quick to acknowledge there’s room for improvement, particularly when it comes to discipline—eight penalties in a single game is hardly ideal—but he praised his squad’s resilience and effort.
Looking at the numbers, the Wolf Pack’s defensive effort stood out. Not only did they kill off every penalty, but they also limited Springfield to just three shots in the second period, a testament to their commitment to blocking lanes and clearing rebounds. Offensively, the contributions came from all over the lineup. McConnell-Barker, Terrance, and Sýkora each found the scoresheet, while Blidh and Jackson Dorrington chipped in with key assists. Captain Casey Fitzgerald led by example, anchoring the blue line and nearly scoring himself in the opening period.
The win couldn’t have come at a better time. After opening the season 0-3, the Wolf Pack’s confidence was in need of a boost. Wednesday’s victory not only snapped the skid but also provided a blueprint for success moving forward: disciplined defense, relentless forechecking, and, above all, stellar goaltending. The penalty kill, in particular, will be a point of pride—and a potential game-changer as the season unfolds.
For Springfield, the loss was a tough pill to swallow. The Thunderbirds had their chances, especially early, but simply couldn’t solve Garand or capitalize on their many power plays. They’ll look to regroup quickly, as their four-game road swing wraps up with a visit to the Providence Bruins on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m., and the Thunderbirds will be eager to bounce back before returning home.
The Wolf Pack, meanwhile, are set for an intriguing matchup of their own. They’ll host the Bridgeport Islanders this Friday in the first installment of the Battle of Connecticut, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at PeoplesBank Arena. It’s a chance for Hartford to build on their newfound momentum and perhaps, just perhaps, start a winning streak that could define their early season.
With a shutout win in their back pocket and a revitalized locker room, the Wolf Pack are finally on the board—and, if Wednesday night is any indication, they’re just getting started.
