COMPLETE NUTRITION GAME PREVIEW AT GRAND RAPIDS 12.2.16
Dec 1, 2016 Iowa Wild (9-10-1-1, 20 points) at Grand Rapids Griffins (11-6-0-1, 23 Points)
Iowa continues a seven-game road trip with a stop in Grand Rapids. Iowa began its lengthy trip on Nov. 19 and is five games in with a 3-1-1-0 mark. The Wild is coming off a 5-1 victory in Charlotte on Sunday. With the win, Iowa extended its points streak to four games (3-0-1-0). The Griffins fell 3-2 in a shootout to Cleveland at home on Wednesday. Grand Rapids has points in three straight heading into the weekend (2-0-0-1).
Overall, this marks the 25th meeting between the clubs, as Grand Rapids leads the all-time series mark with a record of 20-4-0-0, including a 10-2-0-0 record at home. The Wild is 4-18-2-0 all-time with a 2-10-0-0 record at Van Andel Arena. The Griffins lead the season series with a 2-0-0-0 mark, winning once at home and once in Des Moines. The last time they met, Grand Rapids posted a 4-1 win at home on Nov. 4. The Wild is 4-3-1-0 on the road this season, while the Griffins are 7-3-0-1 at home. Grand Rapids is 6-3-0-1 over the last ten outings, while Iowa is 4-4-1-1.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
at Grand Rapids 12/2 6:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Chicago 12/3 7:00 PM CT KXNO/ iHeartRadio
vs. Milwaukee 12/6 7:00 PM CT KXNO/ iHeartRadio
vs. San Antonio 12/9 7:00 PM CT KXNO/ iHeartRadio
vs. San Antonio 12/10 7:00 PM CT KXNO/ iHeartRadio
Transactions:
11.27.16: Delete– D Gustav Olofsson - recalled by Minnesota (NHL)
12.1.16: Delete– F Kurtis Gabriel - recalled by Minnesota (NHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild defeated the Charlotte Checkers 5-1 in front of 4,185 fans at Bojangles Coliseum on Sunday. Iowa scored three first-period goals and cruised to a road victory in Charlotte, extending the team’s season-long points streak to four games. Winger Teemu Pulkkinen scored twice, thus tying a team record with a goal in his fourth straight game. Iowa goalie Alex Stalock (made 21 saves for the win and extended his personal unbeaten string to five games (4-0-1-0). Four different skaters posted a multi-point game for Iowa, led by Pulkkinen and center Jordan Schroeder (2a). Pat Cannone and Alex Tuch each had a goal and an assist, as the Wild scored three power-play goals for the win. Checkers goalie Alex Nedeljkovic took the loss with five saves on eight shots and was pulled after the first period.
Iowa Wild
Through the first 21 games of the regular season, veteran right wing Teemu Pulkkinen leis tied for the team-lead in scoring with 15 points in 14 games played. Pulkkinen leads Iowa with eight goals scored, including four on the power play. Veteran forward Jordan Schroeder is tied for the team lead in scoring with 11 assists and 15 points in 18 games played. Schroeder’s 11 assists are first on the team. Rookie Alex Tuch, veteran center Pat Cannone and defenseman Gustav Olofsson are all tied for third on the team in points with 12 each. Cannone has three goals and is tied for second in assists with nine in 21 games played. Tuch is second on the team with five goals and has 12 points in 21 outings. Olofsson was recalled recently to Minnesota. He led all defenders in points upon his departure. Forwards Colton Beck (2g-5a) and Mario Lucia (3g,4a) also rank among the team’s scoring leaders.
Veteran Alex Stalock and Steve Michalek split time in net for Iowa. Stalock is 5-5-1 with a 2.93 GAA and a .906 SV%. Michalek is 4-5-1 with a 3.28 GAA and a .912 SV%.
Iowa’s power play sits 14th in the league after going 16-for-86 (18.6%). The Wild’s penalty kill sits 22nd after stopping 63 of 80 (78.8%).
Notables –
● Goalie Alex Stalock has stopped 142 of the last 149 (.953) shots over his last six outings. (1.38 GAA / 4-0-0-1)
● Teemu Pulkkinen has a goal in four straight games and has a goal in five of the last seven outings. He has 14 points in his last 12 games.
Grand Rapids Griffins
Through 18 games this season, second-year forward Matt Lorito leads the club with 18 points in 18 games played. His seven goals and 11 assists are both a team best. Right wing Mitch Callahan is second on the team in points with 14 points in 18 games played. Ben Street, a veteran center, is second on the Griffins with 10 assists and third with 13 points in 15 outings. Robbie Russo leads all defensemen in points with 12 in 18 games played. Russo is fourth in overall team scoring.
Eddie Pasquale and Cal Heeter split time in net for Grand Rapids, while Jared Coreau remains on NHL recall to Detroit. Coreau was 8-5-0 with a 2.39 GAA and a .923 SV%. Pasquale is 3-1-1 with a 2.36 GAA and a .920 SV%. Heeter has yet to make his AHL debut.
Grand Rapids’ power play sits third best in the league after going 23-for-89 (25.8%). The Griffins penalty kill sits fifth after stopping 56 of 65 (86.2%).