GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS 10.29.14
Oct 29, 2014Iowa Wild (1-5-0-0, 2 points) at Milwaukee Admirals (6-0-0-0, 12 Points)
The Iowa Wild begins a three-game road trip with the first game at Milwaukee on Wednesday. It marks the third meeting of the season between the two teams, who met for a pair of games in Des Moines on Oct. 17 and 18. The Admirals claimed both meetings at Wells Fargo Arena by a combined score of 8-3. The Admirals are 2-0-0-0 against the Wild this season and 10-2-0-0 all-time. Iowa is 2-2-0-1 all-time at the BMO Harris Bradley Center and 2-8-1-1 overall. The two teams play a total of eight times this season, including three more games in Milwaukee and two more at Wells Fargo Arena.
Iowa hits the road for the second time this season after four straight at home. The Wild is 0-2-0-0 on the road this season after dropping a pair of games at San Antonio and Texas on opening weekend. Iowa was outscored 7-4 in those two games. Milwaukee is off to one of the team’s best starts in years with six straight wins by a combined score of 22-11. The Admirals are 2-0-0-0 at home and 4-0-0-0 on the road. Milwaukee has outscored its opponents 8-4 at home and 14-7 on the road.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
at Milwaukee 10/29 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Oklahoma City 11/1 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Oklahoma City 11/2 4:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Rockford 11/6 10:30 AM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Chicago 11/8 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
10.28.14 Delete – D Stu Bickel – (recalled by Minnesota – NHL)
10.28.14 Delete – D Justin Falk – (recalled by Minnesota – NHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild defeated the Charlotte Checkers 4-1 in front of 6,429 fans at Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday night. Forward Jordan Schroeder scored twice in the first period and goalie Johan Gustafsson made 34 saves for the team’s first win. Forwards Zack Phillips and Kurtis Gabriel also scored in the victory. Charlotte goalie John Muse stopped 25 shots for the loss. Center Tyler Graovac added two assists for the Wild.
Iowa Wild
Through the first six games of the season, forward Jordan Schroeder leads the team in scoring with three goals and five assists for eight points. Fellow center Tyler Graovac is second on the team in points with six off one goal and five assists. Defenseman Jon Blum and forward Michael Keranen each have one goal and three assists for four points.
Iowa returns 15 players who skated with last year’s team, including 13-14 leading scorer Zack Phillips. The third-year forward led the club with 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points in 76 games. Forwards Tyler Graovac (13g, 25 pts), Brett Bulmer (11g-19 pts), Marc Hagel (8g-15 pts) and Raphael Bussieres (5g,19 pts) all return for their second season in Iowa. After leading the blueline in points in 2013-14, defenseman Jon Blum returns for his second season in Iowa.
Goalies John Curry and Johan Gustafsson return to the Iowa Wild crease. Curry is 0-2-0 with a 3.47 GAA and a .882 SV% with Iowa. Johan Gustafsson is 1-3-0 with a 3.59 GAA and a .887 SV %.
Notables –
· Defenseman Danny Syvret recorded his 300th AHL point on Saturday vs. Charlotte.
Milwaukee Admirals
Through the first three games of the season, rookie Brendan Leipsic leads the club in scoring with seven assists, which leads the AHL. He set up three against Iowa on Oct. 17. Viktor Arvidsson, Pontus Aberg and Austin Watson lead the Ads in goals scored with four each. Arvidsson scored three against Iowa on Oct. 18. Defenseman Joe Piskula is also among the team leaders with five assists.
The Admirals return 11 players from last season’s roster, including last year’s rookie and team leading scorer, left wing Miikka Salomaki. He led Milwaukee and was fifth among rookies in total points, netting 20 goals and 30 assists for 50 points in 75 games played. Center Austin Watson suits up for his third season with the Admirals after scoring 22 goals and 24 assists for 46 points in 76 games last year. Watson leads Milwaukee in goals (2) and points (1) in this young season. Colton Sissons starts his sophomore year after collecting 44 points for Milwaukee in the previous season. Defenseman Anthony Bitetto returns for his third season, following 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 73 games played in 2013-14.
Goalie Marek Mazanec has started five games with a 5-0-0 mark, to go along with 1.96 GAA and a .931 SV%. Magnus Hellberg is 1-0-0 with a 0.90 GAA and a .962 SV%.