HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack held a third-period lead for the second straight time Saturday against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at PeoplesBank Arena. But for the second night in a row the Phantoms rallied to earn a 4-3 overtime decision.
Christian Kyrou opened the scoring for the visitors at 13:19 into the match, scoring his first goal as a member of the Phantoms. Carl Grundström dropped a pass in the right circle for Kyrou, who cut just inside the circle and fired a shot that hit Dylan Garand and found the back of the net.
The Phantoms took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, but the Wolf Pack managed to tie the game midway through the middle stanza.
On their first power play of the evening, Trey Fix-Wolansky lit the lamp for the fourth time this season. Derrick Pouliot had possession of the ball on the blueline and made a pass to Fix-Wolansky in the right circle. The veteran ripped a shot that beat Yaniv Perets to make it 1-1.
The goal marked the fourth straight game in which the Wolf Pack’s power play struck.
However, Garrett Wilson restored the lead over a minute later. Wilson collected the rebound on a shot from Kyrou and stopped Garand’s loose change at 13:28 to make it a 2-1 game.
With just seconds left, Dylan Roobroeck pulled the Wolf Pack level again. After a turnover behind the Phantoms’ net, Gabe Perreault was able to connect with Roobroeck in the slot. The second-year forward fired a quick shot that beat Perets and sent the teams into the final frame at 2-2.
The goal, scored at 19:57, was Roobroeck’s second of the season.
Perreault gave the Wolf Pack their first lead of the night at 4:08 of the third period, extending his scoring streak to four games. Roobroeck gave Perreault a pass in the slot, where the rookie quickly unleashed a shot that went past Perets to make it 3-2.
The goal was Perreault’s team-leading fifth of the season and extended his points streak to four games (4g, 4a).
However, for the second night in a row, the Phantoms’ power play would tie the game in the final frame. Anthony Richard nurtured Grundström into the right-wing circle. The veteran winger fired a low shot that beat Garand through the five-hole at 12:46 to make it 3-3.
Garand made his biggest save of the night late in the third period with the Phantoms on the power play. Emil Andrae was set up low on the right, but a sliding Garand was able to save with the left pad.
For the second night in a row, the teams went to overtime in downtown Hartford. Alex Bump appeared to have scored early in extra time, but the goal was quickly canceled due to goalkeeper interference.
Moments later, however, Garand bobbled the puck behind the net. Cooper Marody was able to gather possession and make a wraparound attempt at 3:08 to give the Phantoms the weekend win.
Despite the loss, the Wolf Pack extended their points streak to four games (2-0-2-0).
The Wolf Pack will hit the road next week to take on a pair of North Division foes. The journey begins on Friday evening, November 7, when the Wolf Pack takes on the Laval Rocket at Place Bell. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m
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