COMPLETE NUTRITION GAME PREVIEW VS ROCKFORD 11.16.16
Nov 15, 2016 Rockford IceHogs (5-8-1-0, 11 Points) at Iowa Wild (5-8-0-1, 11 points)
Iowa welcomes Rockford for the fifth game of six straight at home. The team closes out the lengthy home stand with Chicago on Friday at 7 PM. So far, Iowa is 1-2-0-1 through the first four games of the stand. Iowa is coming off a 6-5 shootout loss at home to Ontario on Saturday night in Des Moines. The IceHogs were beaten 3-1 at home on Sunday by Ontario.
Iowa is 4-6-0-1 at home this season, while Rockford is 1-6-1-0 on the road. Iowa has dropped three straight (0-2-0-1) and is 4-5-0-1 over the last ten games. The Hogs are 3-6-1-0 over their last ten outings.
As far as rivalries go, the Wild has played the IceHogs more than any other team in AHL history with the 32nd meeting on Wednesday. Iowa is 10-20-1-0 all-time against Rockford, including a 5-11-0-0 mark all-time in Des Moines. The IceHogs are 21-6-2-2 against the Wild all-time, including an 11-4-1-0 mark at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wild claimed the first meeting of the season between the two teams with a 2-1 OT decision on Nov. 6.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
vs. Rockford 11/16 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Chicago 11/18 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio / MC22
at Chicago 11/19 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Manitoba 11/22 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Manitoba 11/23 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
11.9.16: Delete – Forwards Christoph Bertschy, Zack Mitchell and Defense Mike Reilly - recalled by Minnesota (NHL)
11.10.16: Add – D Scott Czarnowczan (signed PTO)
11.14.16: Add – F Christoph Bertschy - assigned by Minnesota (NHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Ontario Reign 6-5 in a shootout in front of 5,907 fans on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. After scoring in the last 20 seconds of regulation to force overtime, Iowa was edged in a five-round shootout. Justin Auger and Mike Amadio each had a goal and an assist as Ontario picked up a win in its first visit to Des Moines. Wild defenseman Maxime Fortunus, as well as forwards Jeff Hoggan, Mario Lucia, Adam Gilmour and Alex Tuch each scored in regulation. Center Pat Cannone and left wing Teemu Pulkkinen each had two assists, and Iowa dropped to 4-6-0-1 at home this season. Reign goalie Anders Lindback stopped 23 of 28 shots in regulation and four of five attempts for the shootout win. Wild goalie Steve Michalek stopped 35 of 40 shots in regulation and three of five attempts in the shootout loss
Iowa Wild
Through the first 14 games of the regular season, veteran forward Jordan Schroeder leads the team in scoring with four goals and five assists for nine points in 11 games played. Defenseman Mike Reilly has one goal and six assists for seven points in eight games. He remains on recall to Minnesota. Defenseman Gustav Olofsson is tied for first in scoring with nine points and he leads the team lead with seven assists. Rookie Alex Tuch is third on the team in points with eight in 14 games played. Forwards Colton Beck (2g-5a) and Mario Lucia (3g,4a) also rank among the team’s scoring leaders.
Veteran Alex Stalock, rookies Adam Vay and Steve Michalek split time in net for Iowa. Stalock is 1-5-0 with a 4.46 GAA and a .865 SV%. Michalek is 4-3-1 with a 3.08 GAA and a .921 SV%. Vay has yet to make his AHL debut.
Iowa’s power play sits 18th in the league after going 11-for-63 (17.5%). The Wild’s penalty kill sits 23rd after stopping 45 of 57 (78.9%).
Notables –
● Iowa has played 11 home games this season. Five teams in the league have played less total games.
Rockford IceHogs
Right wing Spencer Abbott and veteran forward Mark McNeill, are among the team leaders in points. McNeill is first with seven assists and his nine points in 14 games played lead the Hogs. Abbott is tied for the team-high with four goals and is second with eight points in 14 games. Defensemen Eric Gustafsson leads the blueline in points with six points in 14 games played. He is third on the team with four assists. Center Tanner Kero, as well as defensemen Viktor Svedberg and Ville Pokka are tied for fourth in points with five apiece. Kero has two goals and three assists in 14 games. Pokka and Svedberg are tied for the team lead with five assists. Left wing Brandon Mashinter leads his team with 20 penalty minutes.
Goalies Lars Johansson and Mac Carruth share time in net for Rockford. Johansson sees the majority of time and is 4-5-1 with a 2.25 GAA and a .919 SV %. Carruth is 1-3-0 with a 3.82 GAA and a .887 SV %.
Rockford’s power play is 21st, going 8-for-57 (14.0%). The Hogs are 19th on the penalty kill, stopping 45 of 55 (81.8%).