GAME PREVIEW - CHICAGO WOLVES AT IOWA WILD 12.21.14

Dec 21, 2014

MEDIA KIT - HERE

Chicago Wolves (14-11-3-0, 31 points) at Iowa Wild (9-17-1-1, 20 points)

The Iowa Wild concludes a home-and-home series with the Chicago Wolves prior to the holiday break. The two teams have played four times this season, with the Wolves taking all three of four decisions by a combined score of 13-10. Iowa took the last meeting, a 5-1 besting at Allstate Arena on Saturday night. The two teams will meet eight times this season after playing in 10 games last year. Over the summer, Iowa was shifted to the West Division and is no longer a Midwest Division rival of the Wolves. Iowa is 5-6-1-2 against Chicago overall, including a 3-4-0-1 record at Wells Fargo Arena. Chicago is 9-2-1-2 overall, including a 5-0-1-1 record at Iowa.

Iowa is 5-9-0-0 at home this season, having been outscored 43-34 by the visitors. Chicago is 8-8-1-0 on the road, outscoring the home teams 52-47. The Wolves are 3-7-0-0 over the last 10 games, while Iowa is 4-5-0-1. Chicago has dropped five of its last six games. Iowa has four wins over the last six games.

Upcoming Games:

Team                          Date    Time               Radio / TV

vs. Chicago                   12/21    3:00 PM             KXNO / iHeartRadio

at Rockford                   12/26    7:00 PM             KXNO / iHeartRadio

at Grand Rapids             12/27    6:00 PM (CT)      KXNO / iHeartRadio

vs. Milwaukee                12/29    7:00 PM             KXNO / iHeartRadio

at Rochester                  1/2        6:05 PM CT        KXNO / iHeartRadio

Transactions:

12.16.14 - Add – D Brad Richard (signed PTO – from Alaska - ECHL)

12.17.14 - Delete – D Corbin Baldwin (assigned to Alaska – ECHL) 

12.18.14 – Add – C Brett Sutter (recalled to Minnesota – NHL)

12.18.14 - Add – G John Curry (recalled to Minnesota – NHL) 

12.18.14 – Add / Delete  – G Parker Milner (signed PTO / released) 

 

Last Time Out

The Iowa Wild defeated the Chicago Wolves 5-1 in front of 6,509 fans on Saturday night at Allstate Arena. Forwards Jason Gregoire and Tyler Graovac each scored twice, helping Iowa build a 4-1 lead through two periods of play and coast to victory. Center Brett Sutter also scored in the road win, Iowa’s second regulation win over Chicago in team history. Iowa goalie Johan Gustafsson (5-10-1) stopped 24 as Iowa notched its fourth win over the last six games. Chicago goalie Matt Climie made 27 saves in defeat. Iowa posted its second straight 5-1 victory after beating Rockford by the same margin at home on Tuesday.

Iowa Wild

Through the 28 games of the season, forwards Tyler Graovac, Michael Keranen and Jordan Schroeder are the team’s leading scorers.  Graovac is first on the team with 10 goals and is third in assists with 12 for 22 points in 28 games this season. Keranen is second on the team in scoring with 21 points. He leads the team with 16 assists in 28 games. Schroeder is third on the squad with five goals and 18 points in 22 games played. Center Brett Sutter is fourth on the team with 15 points off six goals and nine assists. Forwards Zack Phillips (13 pts) and Marc Hagel (12 pts) are also among the team leaders. Jon Blum leads all defensemen with four goals and 12 points in 23 games played.

Goalies Johan Gustafsson, John Curry and Josh Harding man the Iowa Wild crease. Harding is 0-1-1 with a 3.37 GAA and a .920 SV%. Curry is 4-6-0 with a 3.02 GAA and a 0.911 SV%. Johan Gustafsson is 5-10-1-0 with a 3.20 GAA and a .901 SV % in Iowa. Over his last two appearances he has stopped 48 of 49 (0.980 SAV %) with a 0.70 GAA.

Iowa’s power play is ranked 21st at 15.5%, while the penalty kill sits 25th at 79.6%.

Notables –

·       On Tuesday night in Des Moines, Iowa saw numerous team records broken and set numbers among the AHL season highs. Rockford’s 25 third period shots is the most allowed in Iowa history, to go along with the 59 shots allowed in the game. The Wild surrendered 54 shots at San Antonio on 11.30.14. In that game, Josh Harding made 50 saves to set a new team mark for a single game total. Johan Gustafsson set the new team mark for most saves in one period with 25. Iowa has set AHL highs for shots against in a game, as well as one period. The previous team high for shots allowed was 22 at home against Texas on 11.2.13.

·      Iowa has killed off 18 straight penalties dating back eight games to Nov. 30 at San Antonio.

Chicago Wolves

Through 28 games this season, forwards Ty Rattie, Pat Cannone, Phillip McRae and Rob Bordson lead the Wolves in scoring. Rattie leads the AHL in goals with 14 and is first in points among all Wolves with 19 in 28 games played. Cannone is second in points with 18 in 28 games played. He leads the team with 12 assists. McRae has played in 25 games this season and is second on the club in goals with eight and is tied for third in points with 16. Rob Bordson is tied for third on the team with 16 points off five goals and 11 assists. He is tied for second on the team with 11 assists. Shane Harper (14 pts.) and Jeremy Welsh (13 pts.) round out Chicago’s top scorers. Right wing Cody Beach is among the AHL leaders with 130 penalty minutes in 21 games played. 

Playing in 16 games this season, goalie Matt Climie (7-7-2) is posting a 2.59 GAA and a 0.899 SV%. Goalie Jordan Binnington (7-4-1) is posting a 2.809 GAA and a 0.919 SV% in 12 games played this year.

Chicago’s power play is ranked 7th at 18.9%, while its penalty kill sits at 14th at 83.0%.

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