GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT ROCKFORD ICEHOGS 4.2.16
Apr 2, 2016 Iowa Wild (22-39-4-4, 52 Points) at Rockford IceHogs (36-20-8-4, 84 points)
Iowa and Rockford meet for the 11th of 12 meetings this season. This marks Iowa’s final visit to Rockford this season. The IceHogs claimed the last meeting, a 1-0 win at home on Jan. 23. The two teams meet for the final time on April 13 in Des Moines. The IceHogs have shutout the Wild three times this season, outscoring Iowa 28-16 in the season series. Overall, Rockford is 20-6-0-2 in 28 all-time meetings, including a 10-2-0-2 mark at home. Iowa is 8-19-1-0 all-time and 5-11-0-0 on the road.
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Iowa is 12-19-1-2 on the road this season, having been outscored 98-69 by the home teams. Iowa is 3-6-1-0 over its last ten games. The Wild is coming off a 4-2 win over Manitoba at home on Friday. The team is 17-17-2-1 since Dec. 26. Friday’s win snapped Iowa’s seven-game winless skid (0-6-1-0).
Rockford is 21-9-2-3 at home this season, outscoring the road teams 96-88. The IceHogs are 3-6-1-0 over the last ten games played. The club has two wins over the last six outings and is coming off a 5-2 loss at home to San Antonio on Friday.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
at Rockford 4/2 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at San Antonio 4/8 7:30 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at San Antonio 4/9 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Grand Rapids 4/11 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Rockford 4/13 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
3.29.16: Add – F Mario Lucia – signed ATO (ATO)
3.30.16: Add – F Nick Saracino – signed ATO (ATO)
4.1.16: Delete – F Brady Brassart – assigned to Quad City (ECHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild defeated the Manitoba Moose 4-2 in front of 7,571 fans at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday night. Forward Grayson Downing, defensemen Joe Finley, and Dylan Labbe scored a goal each for three unanswered Iowa goals, giving the Wild its sixth victory over Manitoba this season. Wild goalie Leland Irving stopped 21 of 23 shots in the victory. Moose goalie Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves on 38 shots in the defeat. Forwards Dan DeSalvo and Patrice Cormier each scored a goal in the Manitoba loss.
Iowa Wild
Forwards Grayson Downing, Zack Mitchell and Christoph Bertschy lead Iowa in scoring. Mitchell leads the team with 20 goals and with 37 points in 63 games played. Downing has 36 points off 18 goals and 18 assists in 49 games played. Bertschy leads the team with 23 assists and is third among active scorers with 34 points in 66 games played. He also leads the team with 170 shots on goal.
Leland Irving has split time with Steven Michalek in net for Iowa. Leland Irving has made 37 appearances, going 11-20-5 with a 2.73 GAA and a .912 SV%. Rookie Steve Michalek is 6-5-0 with a 2.57 GAA and a .914 SV %.
Iowa ranks 23rd after going 35-for-232 (15.1%) on the power play. The team is 177-for-223 (79.4%) on the penalty kill – 29th in the AHL.
Notables –
● Left wing Nick Saracino made his pro debut on Friday. Forward Mario Lucia picked up two assists for his first career point(s) on Friday.]
Rockford IceHogs
Center Mark McNeill and Vinnie Hinostroza are tied for the team lead in points with 40 each. McNeill has a team high 21 goals and 19 assists in 56 games played. Hinostroza is second on the club with 26 assists and has added 14 goals in 58 games played. Defenseman Ville Pokka leads the team with 32 assists and is tied for third in points with 39 in 68 games played. Right wing Ryan Hartman is tied with Jake Dowell for fourth on the club in points. Hartman has 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points in 60 outing. Dowell is third on the team with 24 assists and has 34 points in 65 games played.
Michael Leighton (28-8-8) has made the majority of the starts with 46 appearances. Leighton has a 2.44 GAA and .918 SV%. Drew MacIntyre shares time in the crease with Leighton after coming over in a trade with Charlotte at the deadline. MacIntyre is 2-2-1 in six appearances with the Hogs, posting a 2.48 GAA and a .914 SV %. For the 2015-16 season, MacIntyre is 13-15-2 with a 2.99 GAA and a .895 SV %.
Rockford is 38-for-270 on the power play and sits 28th at 14.1%. The IceHogs penalty kill sits 17th at 82.8%, going 240-for-290.