Game Preview - Iowa Wild at Charlotte Checkers 10.20
Oct 20, 2013Iowa Wild (2-1-0-0, 4 points) at Charlotte Checkers (2-1-0-0, 4 points)
The Iowa Wild embarks on the first road trip in the team’s short history. After posting a 3-1 win at Charlotte on Saturday night, the two teams meet again at 12:30 p.m. (CT) on Sunday. It marks the second of four meetings between the two clubs. It’s also the final regular season visit to Charlotte for Iowa this season. The Checkers will visit the Wild on Mar. 25 and Mar. 26 at Wells Fargo Arena. The Checkers will begin their home schedule this weekend with the Wild.
Minnesota's AHL Affiliate was in Houston for the 2012-13 season, going 40-26-5-5 (90 points / .592 %). The Aeros met the Checkers eight times last season, going 3-2-1-2. Over the last five years, Houston was 6-2-1-2 all-time against Charlotte, including a 2-1-0-3 mark on the road.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
at Charlotte 10/20 12:30 PM (CT) KXNO 1460 – iHeart Radio
vs Chicago 10/24 7:05 PM KXNO 1460 – iHeart Radio
vs Grand Rapids 10/27 4:05 PM KXNO 1460 – iHeart Radio
Latest Transactions:
10/19 – Delete goaltender John Curry (assigned to Orlando – ECHL)
10/18 – Add goaltender Darcy Kuemper (assigned by Minnesota – NHL)
10/16 – Delete defenseman Carl Sneep (released from PTO – heading to Idaho - ECHL)
Last Time Out:
The Iowa Wild defeated the Charlotte Checkers 3-1 in front of 9,021 fans at Time Warner Cable Arena on Saturday night. Iowa goalie Johan Gustafsson stopped 33 Checkers shots for his second straight victory in only his second pro start. Gustafsson carried a shutout halfway through the third period before surrendering the only goal of the night. The goal against ended his shutout streak at 113:51. Forwards Tyler Graovac and Zack Phillips each scored in the team’s first road game of the season. Rookie forward Taylor Matson’s goal 5:20 into the third period proved to be the game winner. Checkers forward Chris Terry scored Charlotte’s lone goal while goalie Mike Murphy took the loss with 24 saves.
Iowa Wild
The Wild returns 12 players from the 2012-13 squad that took the ice in Houston last year. The roster includes six rookies, eight veterans and 11 Minnesota Wild draft picks. Overall, 18 of the 23 players on the roster are NHL draft picks. After three games played, forwards Brett Bulmer, Chad Rau and Jason Zucker are tied for the team lead in scoring with two points each. Defenseman Brian Connelly also has two assists in three games. Bulmer had a goal in each of the first two games, while Zucker and Rau each picked up an assist in the first two games. Forwards Zack Phillips, Tyler Graovac and Dave Steckel also have a goal on the short season.
Goalies Johan Gustafsson and Darcy Kuemper man the nets for Iowa. Kuemper has seen action in both Minnesota and Iowa. He started last Sunday at home against Oklahoma City, falling 4-2 with 28 saves. Gustafsson, a rookie, made his North American debut last Saturday, stopping 27 shots for his first AHL victory and his first AHL shutout. Gustafsson is 2-0 with a 0.50 GAA and a .984 SV %. Head Coach Kurt Kleinendorst leads the Wild in its first season.
Zucker Out
The American Hockey League announced on Monday that Wild forward Jason Zucker is suspended for the weekend set in Charlotte. The second-year forward was given a match penalty for a hit to the head in Sunday’s loss at home to Oklahoma City. He is eligible to return to the Wild lineup on Oct. 24 at home against Chicago.
Charlotte Checkers
The Checkers return 15 players from the 2012-13 team, which posted a 42-26-4-4 record. The AHL Affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by Oklahoma City in spring of 2013.
After three games of action, forward Aaron Palushaj leads Charlotte in scoring with a goal and two assists for three points. Forward Chris Terry has two goals and an assist for three points in three gams. Veteran defenseman Mark Flood leads the team with two goals and is tied for second in scoring with two points, while Zach Boychuk has a goal and an assist.
Goalies Justin Peters and Mike Murphy each were able to start a game against Oklahoma City. Peters stopped 32 of 34 for the win. He is currently on recall to the Carolina Hurricanes. Murphy stopped 22 of 24 in his victory at Oklahoma City. Murphy is 1-1 with a 2.53 GAA and a .902 SV %.