COMPLETE NUTRITION GAME PREVIEW VS TEXAS 1.21.17
Jan 20, 2017 Texas Stars (20-15-1-2, 43 points) at Iowa Wild (18-19-4-1, 41 points)
Iowa plays the final game of four straight at home with a visit from the Texas Stars. This weekend marks the only visit from Texas this season and the first two games of the season series. Despite falling 3-2 in OT to Texas last night at home, Iowa has points in six of the last seven games (4-1-2-0). The Stars have won three straight heading into Saturday night’s game.
Overall, this marks the 20th meeting between the clubs, as Texas leads the all-time series with a record of 14-3-2-0, including an 8-2-0-0 record on the road. The Wild is 5-11-2-1 all-time with a 3-4-2-1 record at Wells Fargo Arena.
Iowa is 8-12-2-1 at home this season and 4-4-2-0 over the last 10 outings. The Wild has been outscored by the road teams 69-57 this season. The Stars are 9-9-1-1 on the road and 5-4-0-1 over the last ten games. Texas has been outscored by the home teams 72-69.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
vs. Texas 1/21 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Grand Rapids 1/25 6:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Rockford 1/27 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Rockford 1/28 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
All Star Break 1/29-2/2
Transactions:
1.19.17: Delete – D Mike Reilly – recalled to Minnesota (NHL)
1.19.17: Delete – G Adam Vay – assigned to Quad City (ECHL)
1.19.17: Add – F Tyler Sikura – Signed PTO
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Texas Stars 3-2 in overtime in front of 8,503 fans on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Stars defenseman Nick Ebert scored twice in the win over Iowa, including the game-winning goal two minutes into overtime. Denis Gurianov also scored a goal in the win. Stars goalie Landon Bow stopped 24 of 26 shots in the overtime win. Wild goalie Alex Stalock stopped 24 of 27 shots in the overtime loss. Kurtis Gabriel and Sam Anas each scored for Iowa in the defeat.
Iowa Wild
Through the first 42 games of the regular season, right wing Teemu Pulkkinen leads the club with 12 goals and 26 points in 32 games played. Pulkkinen also leads the team in power-play goals (4), first goals (5), game-winning goals (3) and shots (112). Veteran center Pat Cannone is second in scoring with 21 points, off 16 assists and five goals in 39 games played. Rookie Alex Tuch is tied for third in scoring with 18 points in 32 games played. Tuch has eight goals and 10 assists. Center Grayson Downing is fifth in scoring with 17 points off six goals and 11 assists in 38 games played. Tuch and Downing are both currently out with an injury. Gustav Olofsson has five goals and 17 points to lead all defensemen in scoring. Rookie Mario Lucia and forward Christoph Bertschy are tied for seventh in points with 15 each.
Veteran Alex Stalock and Steve Michalek split time in net for Iowa. Stalock is 12-10-4 with a 2.68 GAA and a .910 SV%. Michalek is 6-9-1 with a 2.76 GAA and a .916 SV%.
Iowa’s power play sits 22nd in the league after going 26-for-160 (16.3%). The Wild’s penalty kill sits 18th after stopping 130-of-160 (81.3%).
Notables –
● The Texas Stars franchise is the former Iowa Stars franchise that played in Des Moines from 2005-08.
Texas Stars
Through 38 games this season, forwards Travis Morin and Brendan DeFazio lad the team lead in scoring. Morin is first with 13 goals and 17 assists in 38 outings. DeFazio has 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 38 games. Right wing Matej Stransky leads the club in goals with 15 and he places third on the team with 27 points in 38 games played. Julius Honka leads the Stars defense in points with 21 in 30 games played off five goals and 16 assists. He was recalled to Dallas on Friday. Center Justin Dowling (5g,15a), left wing Remi Ellie (6g,13a) and center Jason Dickinson (6g-12a) also rank among the Stars scoring leaders.
Landon Bow and Maxime Legace split time in net for Texas. Bow is 7-4-0 with a 3.01 GAA and a .900 SV%. Legace is 11-9-3 with a 3.29 GAA and a .894 SV%.
Texas’ power play sits 21st best in the league after going 25-for-149 (16.8%). The Stars penalty kill sits 30th after stopping 136 of 179 (76.0%).