Hartford Wrap

Crowd Salute

Last night, two good friends and I piled into a car for the two-hour trip to Hartford to see the Wolf Pack play the Utica Comets. The Comets are the affiliate team of the Vancouver Canucks, and made it to the Calder Cup finals last year before losing in five games to the LA Kings affiliate. The Pack were looking for their second win of the season, and found it in shutout fashion.

I will admit that I do not ever follow prospects (unlike Josh, whose knowledge amazes me), which is not something I’m proud of, but it was really enjoyable to spend an evening up close and personal with the future of the organization. Going in, I was most excited to check out Brady Skjei and, if possible, try to persuade him to come down to the Garden in time for today’s Rangers game. That being said, I’m very glad to have had some exposure to the “baby Rangers.”

On to the bullet points…

• The most impressive player on the ice last night was Adam Tambellini. Tambellini was in the middle of great plays, skated beautifully and was constantly creating scoring chances. Prior to his masterful breakaway goal in the 3^rd period, it had been conversation among my friends that he looked noticeably better than his counterparts on the ice.

Content! via @jessicalynn312

• Fun fact: Tambelini’s brother, who plays for the Crunch, will be facing the Pack today. #TambellinisAreBrothers #Drink.
• The Pack’s first goal, scored by Richard Nejezchleb, was what I wish the Rangers would have more of: lots of bodies up front, nothing pretty, but effective.
• Skjei is huge. Physically alone, he looks out of place on the ice up in Hartford. It’s almost as if the arena is just too small for him. He skates so well and sees the puck (and plays) so well. I cannot wait for him to come up to the NHL – he’s ready.
• Magnus Hellberg shut out the Comets last night, and it wasn’t an easy shut out. The Comets were throwing nice chances his way, but he was seeing the puck well. He had two absolutely stunning saves that should have been goals in any alternate universe. I’m not sure exactly how he ranks in terms of goalie prospects, but I’m not mad at all that he’s in the Rangers system.
• Hellberg also has Henrik-esque hair. I’m convinced Swedish DNA has a special hair gene.
• Chris Summers had some sound play last night, along with some really lovely hits. Raphael Diaz also played well, but I’m not sure how he’ll make it up to the Rangers. The next two weeks should be interesting in Rangers-land.
• If you complain about the Rangers PP, take a trip up to Hartford. I’m pretty sure they think the power play is a two-minute time out. It was pretty painful to watch. That being said, their penalty kill is wonderful.

Hellberg first star

All in all, it was a great Pack win and a fun night in Connecticut. The arena staff do a great job of keeping the crowd invigorated, and the arena is clean and easy to get to.