Playing their first postseason game in three years, the Hartford Wolf Pack got a goal and an assist from Danny Kristo and 28 saves from Yann Danis en route to a 3-1 victory over Providence in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series on Wednesday night.
Game 2 is Saturday night, also at the XL Center.
A Steve Spinell shot deflected off a Providence defender in the slot and got past Bruins goaltender Jeremy Smith to give Hartford a lead 4:58 into the game. Kristo’s goal 3:19 into the second proved to be the game-winner, and Carl Klingberg, who reached the Calder Cup Finals with St. John’s a year ago, put the game away with an empty-netter with 3.5 seconds left in regulation.
Danis stopped 28 of 29 shots to earn his 20th career Calder Cup Playoff victory.
Zach Trotman had the only goal of the night for the Bruins, converting a feed from Alexander Khokhlachev on a power play with 11:26 remaining in the second period.
Jeremy Smith made 22 saves for Providence, making his first postseason appearance since 2012.
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals – Series “C” (best-of-5)
3-Hartford Wolf Pack vs. 6-Providence Bruins
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 22 – HARTFORD 3, Providence 1
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 25 – Providence at Hartford, 7:00
Game 3 – Sun., Apr. 26 – Hartford at Providence, 7:05
*Game 4 – Tue., Apr. 28 – Hartford at Providence, 7:05
*Game 5 – Fri., May 1 – Providence at Hartford, 7:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
