Hockey brings momentum to businesses in downtown Hartford

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – It’s a big week for hockey in Hartford.

The Hartford Wolf Pack ice hockey team has made it to the playoffs.

Their success this season has trickled down to downtown businesses.

Can not wait. We have season tickets here, so I’m excited for the game, said Dante Boffi, co-owner of Four Dads Pub.

There is excitement in the air in downtown Hartford.

Susilauma is in the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

It’s really impressive that this is all happening. It’s a big year for CT, especially UConn as well. So we just have to show support, said Samantha Jones of Hartford.

The Wolf Pack will play the Providence Bruins on Wednesday at 7 p.m. If they win, they will advance to the Atlantic Division finals.

“This year has actually been one of the best years in our team’s history because of the great community that supported the Wolf Pack,” said Erik Hansen, Director of Business for the Hartford Wolf Pack.

The lower bowl of the XL Center can accommodate approximately 5,400 people.

If you’re coming to watch tomorrow night, we hope you’ll come out to eat beforehand and go out for drinks afterwards, be safe, but come out and enjoy Hartford for what should be a great night, said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin.

With the Wolf Pack playing their home games at the XL Center, many downtown Hartford businesses, such as Four Dads Pub, have seen growth.

We saw a huge boost from the UConn games, a huge boost from the Wolf Pack, but then you start to see them show up not only at the events but at the local restaurants that they discovered because of the event,” Boffi said.

Boffi says that the growth of Four Dads Pub has been explosive.

If the Wolf Pack scores four goals, everyone in the arena is entitled to a free slice of pizza, Boffi said.

“It’s nice to go out and support those that are led by families and stuff like that and it just shows that you support them and you’re here for them,” said Alison Wagner of Wethersfield.

Tickets for Wednesday’s match are available online or at the checkout.

The puck drops at 7 p.m

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