HARTFORD, CT. (WFSB) - The Hartford Wolf Pack extended their winning streak to three games Friday night by defeating the Springfield Thunderbirds 5-2 in the I-91 Rivalry at PeoplesBank Arena.
The Wolf Pack controlled the early part of the game, outshooting the Thunderbirds 6-1 in the first period. They were rewarded with the game's first goal at 10:12.
Justin Dowling fired a pass to Gabe Perreault, who scored his ninth goal of the season to make it 1-0. The goal extended Perreault's point streak to three games.
Kalle Väisänen extended the lead to 2-0 at 3:29, scoring his first career AHL goal.
Daniel Walcott drove down the left-wing side, then sent the puck to the front of the net. Väisänen tipped the puck by Zherenko.
Casey Fitzgerald's second goal of the season came at 12:14, making it 3-0.
Perreault fed Dowling on the left-wing side. Dowling then sent a pass to Fitzgerald, who buried his second goal against the Thunderbirds this season.
The Thunderbirds scored twice to make it 3-2 through 40 minutes.
Theo Lindstein backhanded home a rebound while the sides played four-on-four at 13:29.
Then, at 16:45, Chris Wagner tipped home a shot from Michael Buchinger. The goal gave Wagner two points in the period.
The Wolf Pack got 18 saves from Dylan Garand in the third period.
Perreault made it 4-2 at 14:15, tapping home a back door pass from Dowling for his second goal of the night. The goal also gave Perreault back-to-back multi-goal games.
Brendan Brisson scored his sixth goal of the season via an empty net at 18:57. The goal was the first power play goal surrendered on the road this season by the Thunderbirds.
Hartford travels to face the Bridgeport Islanders Saturday night at Total Mortgage Arena.
They return home on December 10th to take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.