GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT HAMILTON BULLDOGS 2.6.15
Feb 5, 2015Iowa Wild (16-29-1-1, 34 points) at Hamilton Bulldogs (22-17-6-0, 50 points)
Iowa continues a stretch of four straight on the road with stops in Adirondack, Hamilton and Toronto. Iowa makes its first visit to Hamilton this season. The Wild meets the Bulldogs for the third of four games this year. Hamilton swept a pair games in Des Moines the final weekend of January, including a 5-3 win in the last encounter on Jan. 31. The two clubs only met twice in 2013-14, splitting the season series with the home team taking each decision. Iowa is 1-2-0-0 all time against Hamilton, including an 0-1-0-0 mark at Copps Coliseum. Hamilton is 2-1-0-0 all time, including a 1-0-0-0 mark at home.
Iowa is 8-14-1-1 on the road this season, having been outscored 83-60 by the home teams. The 83 goals is the second highest total for road goals allowed in the AHL. With a 4-0 win on Wednesday in Adirondack, Iowa ended a season-long six-game losing skid. Iowa is 3-7-0-0 over the last ten games, while Hamilton is 7-3-0-0. The club has recorded six straight wins heading into the weekend. The Bulldogs are 11-7-3-0 at home, outscoring the visitors 59-54. The club is 13-4-2-0 when scoring first. The Bulldogs are coming off a 5-3 win at Iowa last Saturday.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
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
vs Texas 2/13 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs Texas 2/14 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio / MC 22
Transactions:
2.3.15 – Delete – F Jordan Schroeder (recalled by Minnesota - NHL)
2.5.15 – Add – F Olivier Archambault (recalled from Alaska - ECHL)
2.5.15 – Add – F Ryan Walters (recalled from Alaska - ECHL)
2.5.15 – Add – F Joe Perry (signed PTO – from Quad City Mallards – ECHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild defeated the Adirondack Flames 4-0 in front of 2,456 fans on Wednesday night at Glens Falls Civic Center. Iowa registered three power-play goals and goalie Darcy Kuemper did the rest, as the club ended its season-long six-game losing streak. Kuemper stopped all 28 shots he faced in his first AHL win this year – also his seventh career AHL shutout. Defenseman Jon Blum and Guillaume Gelinas, as well as forward Michael Keranen each connected for a power-play goal to lead Iowa to its first shutout of the season. Forwards Stephane Veilleux and Brett Bulmer each picked up two assists, as the Wild started its four-game road swing with a victory. Center Brett Sutter added a tally as Iowa moved to 8-14-1-1 on the road this season. Adirondack goalie Joni Ortio made 22 saves on 26 shots in two periods of work, taking the loss.
Iowa Wild
Through 47 games this season, forwards Michael Keranen and Tyler Graovac are the team’s leading scorers. Graovac leads the team in goals with 16 tallies and is first with 35 points in 44 games. Keranen is second on the team in scoring with 31 points and is first with 23 assists in 46 games. Recalled Tuesday, forward Jordan Schroeder was third on the club in points with 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points in 35 games played. Right wing Marc Hagel is third among active skaters with a career-high 23 points in 38 games played. Rookie Zack Mitchell is fourth among active skaters with 13 goals and 22 points in 47 games played. Defenseman Jon Blum is the leader in points from the blueline. He has five goals and 18 points in 36 games played. Veteran center Brett Sutter is also among the team leaders with 17 points in 43 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 8-10-0 with a 2.78 GAA and a 0.917 SV%. Darcy Kuemper is 1-2-0 with a 2.64 GAA and a .918 SV %.
Iowa’s power play is ranked 15th at 17.0%, while the penalty kill sits 30th at 77.3%.
Notables –
· Wild center Tyler Graovac surpassed the team record for points in a season with an assist at Adirondack.
· Iowa left wing Zack Mitchell needs one goal to tie Erik Haula’s team mark for most goals by a rookie.
· Iowa is 2-4-0-0 against the North Division, while Hamilton is 4-4-1-0 versus the West Division.
Hamilton Bulldogs
Through the first 45 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 24 assists for 36 points in 45 games. The eight-year hockey professional has secured six points in his last seven games. Forwards Sven Andrighetto is third in overall points, totaling 10 goals and 20 points in 29 games played.
Daniel Carr is fourth on the team in points with 19 in 45 games. In 34 games, forward Drayson Bowman is fifth on the team in scoring off eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points. Defenseman Davis Drewiske leads all Hamilton blueliners with 15 points in 45 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 (7-7-3) is posting a 2.96 GAA and a 0.902 SV% in 17 games played.
Hamilton’s power play is ranked 27th in AHL at 12.4%, while its penalty kill is seventh at 86.2%.