GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT ROCKFORD ICEHOGS 12.11.15

Dec 11, 2015

MEDIA KIT - HERE

Iowa Wild (4-18-1-3, 12 Points) at Rockford IceHogs (16-5-1-2, 35 Points)

Iowa and Rockford meet for the sixth of 12 meetings this season. Each team will host six games this season, including the next meeting in Des Moines on Dec. 27. Rockford has taken the first five meetings of the year, including a 4-3 decision in Des Moines on Nov. 14. The IceHogs have shutout the Wild twice this season, outscoring Iowa 18-7 in the season series. Overall, Rockford is 17-5-0-1 in 22 all-time meetings, including a 8-2-0-1 mark at the BMO Harris Center. Iowa is 6-17-1-0 all-time and 3-7-1-0 on the road.  The Hogs have taken the last eight meetings dating back to Jan. 16, 2015.

Iowa is 2-8-0-1 on the road this season, having been outscored 37-18 by the home teams. Iowa is 1-8-0-1 over its last ten games. The Wild is winless in its last nine games at Wells Fargo Arena. Its last home victory was a 3-2 overtime win against the Milwaukee Admirals on Oct. 31. Iowa is coming off a 5-3 loss at home to Chicago on Tuesday.

Rockford is 6-2-1-1 at home this season, outscoring the road teams 27-26. The IceHogs are 7-2-1-1 over the last ten games played. The team is coming off a five-game road trip that ended with four straight wins. The team has three straight wins at BMO Harris Center. 

Upcoming Games:

Team                          Date    Time              Radio / TV

at Rockford                  12/11     7:00 PM         KXNO / iHeartRadio

vs. Grand Rapids          12/13     4:00 PM         KXNO / iHeartRadio

at Charlotte                  12/17     6:00 PM CT   KXNO / iHeartRadio

vs. San Antonio           12/20      3:00 PM CT  KXNO / iHeartRadio

vs. San Antonio           12/21      7:00 PM CT  KXNO / iHeartRadio

Transactions:

12.6.15: Delete – F Raphael Bussieres – assigned to Quad City (ECHL)

12.9.15: Add – D Mike Reilly - assigned by Minnesota (NHL)

12.9.15: Delete – D Tyson Strachan - recalled by Minnesota (NHL)

Last Time Out

The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Chicago Wolves 5-3 in front of 3,932 fans on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. A late third-period goal at 15:17 from forward Jeremy Welsh and defenseman Peter Harrold’s three-point night led the Wolves to victory. Chicago goalie Pheonix Copley stopped 32 of 35 shots for his fifth win of the season. The Wolves also received goals from forwards Pat Cannone, Jordan Caron, Yannick Veilleux, and defenseman Andre Benoit. Iowa goalie Leland Irving made 26 saves on 30 shots in the loss. Wild forwards Jordan Schroeder, Zack Mitchell, and Christoph Bertschy each scored in the loss.

Iowa Wild

Right wing Zack Mitchell leads Iowa in scoring with eight goals and 13 points in 26 games played. He has eight points in his last seven games. Center Grayson Downing remains out with an injury. He has 12 points in 13 games played. Forward Michael Keranen has five goals and seven assists in 22 games played. Right wing Christoph Bertschy is first on the team with nine assists and is tied for second with 12 points in 24 games played. Center Jordan Schroeder has eight points in 11 games played. Mike Reilly leads all defensemen in points with nine. He has two goals and seven assists in 23 games played.

Goalie Jeremy Smith (1-9-1) in 12 appearances. He has a 3.33 GAA and a .908 SV%. Leland Irving has made 16 appearances, going 3-9-3 with a 2.72 GAA and a .916 SV%.

Iowa ranks 26th after going 11-for-93 (11.8%) on the power play. The team is 79-for-97 (81.4%) on the penalty kill – 21st in the AHL.

Notables –

●       Right wing Marc Hagel returned to the Iowa lineup on Tuesday after missing 15 games with an injury.

Rockford IceHogs

Right wing Ryan Hartman is the team’s leading scorer with 17 points in 22 games played. He has a team high ten goals to go along with seven assists. Former Iowa Captain Jake Dowell is second on the team with 15 points in 22 games played. He leads the team with ten assists. The team is missing Bryan Bickell (14 pts) and Dennis Rasmussen (14 points). Ville Pokka leads all defensemen in scoring with 14 points in 24 games played. He leads the team with five power-play assists.

The IceHogs have two active goalies on the roster. Michael Leighton (14-3-1) has made 18 appearances, posting a 2.35 GAA and .924 SV%. Mark Visentin (2-2-2) holds a 2.44 GAA and .918 SV% through six games.

Rockford is 15-for-97 on the power play and sits 18th at 15.5%. The IceHogs penalty kill sits 13th at 83.7%, going 87-for-104. 

 

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