GAME PREVIEW - HAMILTON BULLDOGS AT IOWA WILD 1.31.15
Jan 31, 2015Hamilton Bulldogs (21-17-6-0, 48 points) at Iowa Wild (15-28-1-1, 32 points)
Iowa concludes a stretch of three straight at home with Hamilton on Saturday. Iowa and Hamilton meet for the second time this season. The Bulldogs bested the Wild in the first meeting, a 2-1 decision on Friday night. They will meet four times this year, including the next game on Feb. 6 in Hamilton. The two clubs only met twice in 2013-14, splitting the season series with the home team taking each decision.
Iowa is 8-14-0-0 at home this season, having been outscored 66-47 by the visiting teams. Iowa has dropped four straight, including four one-goal decisions. The Wild is 2-8-0-0 over the last 10 games, while the Bulldogs are 6-4-0-0. Hamilton is 10-7-3-0 on the road, outscoring the home teams 54-51.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
vs. Hamilton 1/31 12:30 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Adirondack 2/3 6:30 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Hamilton 2/6 6:30 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Toronto 2/7 2:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Hamilton 2/10 6:30 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
1.22.15 – Add – D Justin Falk (assigned by Minnesota – NHL)
1.27.15 – Add – G Darcy Kuemper (assigned by Minnesota – NHL – Conditioning)
1.28.15 – Add – F Raphael Bussieres (recalled from Alaska – ECHL)
1.29.15 – Delete – D Matt Dumba (recalled by Minnesota – NHL)
1.29.15 – Add – D Stu Bickel (assigned by Minnesota – NHL)
1.29.15 – Delete – G Johan Gustafsson (assigned to Alaska – ECHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Hamilton Bulldogs 2-1 in front of a season-high 8,702 fans on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Forward T.J. Hensick scored twice in the third period, helping Hamilton erase a 1-0 deficit and take the lead with three minutes remaining in regulation. Hamilton goalie Mike Condon took care of the rest, making 37 saves on 38 shots for the road win. Despite stopping 27 of 29 shots, Iowa goalie Darcy Kuemper recorded the loss. Rookie defenseman Guillaume Gelinas scored the Wild’s lone goal.
Iowa Wild
Through 45 games this season, forwards Michael Keranen and Tyler Graovac are the team’s leading scorers. Graovac leads the team in goals with 15 tallies and is first with 31 points in 42 games. Keranen is second on the team in scoring with 28 points and is first with 22 assists in 44 games. Forward Jordan Schroeder is third on the club in points with 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points in 34 games played. Right wing Marc Hagel is fourth among active skaters with a career-high 23 points in 36 games played. Rookie Zack Mitchell is fifth among active skaters with 12 goals and 21 points in 45 games played. Defenseman Jon Blum is the leader in points from the blueline. He has five goals and 18 points in 35 games played. Veteran center Brett Sutter is also among the team leaders with 16 points in 41 games played.
Goalies Darcy Kuemper, John Curry and Josh Harding (injured) man the Iowa Wild crease. Harding is 0-1-1 with a 3.37 GAA and a .920 SV%. John Curry is 8-9-0 with a 2.71 GAA and a 0.919 SV%. Darcy Kuemper is 0-2-0 with a 4.23 GAA and a .877 SV %.
Iowa’s power play is ranked 18th at 15.9%, while the penalty kill sits 30th at 76.5%.
Notables –
· Defenseman Danny Syvret played in his 600th AHL game on Thursday.
· Forward Ruslan Fedotenko made his Iowa debut at home on Thursday.
· Hamilton forward Jake Dowell was the Captain of the Iowa Wild in 2013-14.
Hamilton Bulldogs
Through the first 44 games this season, rookie forward Charles Hudon leads the Hamilton Bulldogs in scoring with 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points. This mark leads all rookies and is tied for 10th in the AHL for overall points. Forward T.J. Hensick is second on the Bulldogs in scoring, tallying 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 44 games. The eight-year hockey professional has secured five points in his last six games. Forwards Sven Andrighetto is third in overall points, totaling 10 goals and 20 points in 28 games played. Daniel Carr is fourth on the team in points with 19 in 44 games. In 32 games, forward Drayson Bowman is fifth on the team in scoring off seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points. Defenseman Davis Drewiske leads all Hamilton blueliners with 14 points in 44 games played.
Playing in 25 games this year, rookie goalie Mike Condon (14-9-3) is posting a 2.10 GAA and a 0.931 SV%. Goalie Joey MacDonald (6-7-3) is posting a 2.96 GAA and a 0.902 SV% in 16 games played.
Hamilton’s power play is ranked 26th in AHL at 12.6%, while its penalty kill is seventh at 86.1%.