GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT CHARLOTTE CHECKERS 2.18.15
Feb 18, 2015Iowa Wild (17-34-1-1, 36 points) at Charlotte Checkers (18-26-5-1, 42 Points)
Iowa begins a three-game road swing starting with two games in Charlotte and finishing with one in Milwaukee. Iowa claimed the last meeting between the two teams, a 4-3 win at Charlotte on Dec. 8. Iowa remains in Charlotte for a second game on Thursday. This is the Wild’s last trip to the Queen City this season. The Checkers come to Des Moines for two games in March. The matchup features the 14th and 15th ranked teams in the AHL’s Western Conference. After AHL division realignment this past summer the two teams find themselves in the West Division. Iowa and Charlotte played four times in 2013-14. Charlotte is 4-4-0-0 in the all-time series, including a 1-3-0-0 record at home. Iowa is 4-4-0-0 all time, including a 3-1-0-0 mark at Charlotte.
Iowa is 9-16-1-1 on the road this season, having been outscored 93-67 by the home teams. The 97 road-goals allowed is among the most in the AHL. The Wild is mired in a five-game losing skid after falling 5-3 at home to Oklahoma City on Sunday. Iowa is 2-8-0-0 over the last ten games, while Charlotte is 3-6-1-0. Charlotte is 12-11-1-1 at home, outscored by the visitors 53-51 at Time Warner Cable Arena. The team has wins in two of the last three outings after a stretch of four straight losses. Charlotte is coming off a 4-3 shootout win on Monday at home versus Norfolk.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
at Charlotte 2/18 6:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Charlotte 2/19 6:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Milwaukee 2/21 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Grand Rapids 2/24 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Lake Erie 2/27 6:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
2.12.15 – Add – D Collin Bowman (signed PTO – from Colorado – ECHL)
2.12.15 – Add – D Christian Folin (assigned by Minnesota – NHL)
2.17.15 – Add – F Ian Schultz (signed PTO – from Allen ECHL)
2.18.15 – Delete – F Michael Keranen (recalled by Minnesota – NHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Oklahoma City Barons 5-3 in front of 5,201 fans on Sunday at Wells Fargo Arena. With the game tied at 3-3 in the third period, forward Curtis Hamilton scored 5:31 into the final frame, lifting Oklahoma City past Iowa. Defenseman Brad Hunt scored twice in the victory, and forwards Andrew Miller and Jason Williams also scored once for the Barons. Oklahoma City goalie Laurent Brossoit made 23 saves on 26 shots in the road win. Forward Kurtis Gabriel scored twice for Iowa and Brett Sutter scored once in the loss. Iowa goalie John Curry stopped 24 shots of 28 in the defeat.
Iowa Wild
Through 53 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 34 points in 50 games. Keranen is second on the team in scoring with 32 points and is first with 23 assists in 52 games. Recalled to Minnesota, 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 25 points in 44 games played. Rookie Zack Mitchell is fourth among active skaters with 14 goals and 23 points in 53 games played. Defenseman Jon Blum is the leader in points from the blueline. He has eight goals and 22 points in 43 games played. Veteran center Brett Sutter is also among the team leaders with 19 points in 49 games played.
Goalies Johan Gustafsson, 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 8-13-0 with a 2.83 GAA and a 0.914 SV%. Gustafsson is 7-17-0 with a 3.34 GAA and a .896 SV %.
Iowa’s power play is ranked 21st at 15.9%, while the penalty kill sits 30th at 77.1%.
Notables –
· Among all rookies, Iowa forward Kurtis Gabriel is tied for first with 12 major penalties and is second in PIMs with 102.
· Iowa left wing Zack Mitchell has tied Erik Haula’s team mark for most goals by a rookie (14).
· Checkers goalie Drew MacIntyre is third in the AHL with 940 saves.
Charlotte Checkers
In the first 50 games this season, forward Chad LaRose leads the team in scoring with 27 points. The veteran winger has 14 goals and 13 assists in 49 games played. Center Justin Shugg is second on the club in goals and points. He has 13 tallies and 22 points in 39 games played. Left wing Brendan Woods is also among team leaders in points with 18 in 42 games played off eight goals and ten assists. He is also third on the team with 78 minutes in penalties. Phil Di Giuseppe (16 points) and Alex Aleardi (15 points) are also among the team scoring leaders. Veteran forward Greg Nemiz has eight goals in 21 games played. Offensive minded defenseman Ryan Murphy is in Carolina with the Hurricanes. He had 17 assists in 25 games prior to his recall.
Playing in 34 games this year, goalie Drew MacIntyre (13-17-4) is posting a 2.70 GAA and a 0.915 SV%. Goalie John Muse (5-9-2) is posting a 2.69 GAA and a 0.918 SV% in 19 games played.
Charlotte's power play is ranked 30th in the AHL at 10.7%, while its penalty kill is 13th at 84.7%.