GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT CHICAGO WOLVES 1.15.16
Jan 15, 2016Iowa Wild (9-24-2-3, 23 Points) at Chicago Wolves (16-16-1-2, 35 points)
Iowa and Chicago meet for the fourth of 12 meetings this season. Iowa claimed the last meeting, a 2-1 decision on Dec. 26 at Allstate Arena. The Wolves claimed the first two meetings of the year. The Wild is 1-2-0-0 against the Wolves this season, including a 1-1-0-0 mark in Chicago. The Wolves are 1-1-0-0 at home and 2-1-0-0 in the season series. Iowa is 6-12-1-2 all-time against Chicago and 4-5-1-1 at Allstate Arena. Chicago leads the all-time series with a 15-3-1-2 record, including a 7-3-0-1 mark at home.
Iowa is 6-11-0-1 on the road this season, having been outscored 54-38 by the home teams. Iowa is 5-5-0-0 over its last ten games. Iowa has four wins over the last six games, outscoring the opposition 17-13 over the stretch. Iowa is coming off a 3-1 defeat to Rockford at home on Sunday.
Chicago is 12-5-0-1 at home this season, outscoring the visitors 60-40. The Wolves are 4-6-0-0 over the last ten games. Chicago is coming off a 5-2 loss at Rockford on Tuesday night. The Wolves have lost three straight heading into Friday’s game. Chicago has six losses over the last eight games.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
at Chicago 1/15 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. San Jose 1/16 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Stockton 1/17 5:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Rockford 1/22 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Rockford 1/23 7:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
1.9.16: Delete – D Mike Reilly – recalled by Minnesota (NHL)
1.9.16: Delete– D Tyson Strachan – assigned by Minnesota (NHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Rockford IceHogs 3-1 in front of 4,510 on Sunday evening at Wells Fargo Arena. IceHogs goalie Michael Leighton helped the Western Conference leaders with 34 saves for the road win. Forwards Ryan Haggerty and Chris DeSouza each scored second period goals, as Rockford pulled away from Iowa in the middle frame. Wild goalie Leland Irving stopped 28 in the defeat, as Iowa missed its chance for three straight wins. Forward Jordan Schroeder scored his team’s lone goal, as Iowa fell to 3-13-2-2 at home this season.
Iowa Wild
Forwards Christoph Bertschy and Grayson Downing lead the team with 20 points each. Downing is second on the team in goals with 10 and also has 10 assists in 22 games. The rookie center has points in six straight games, which ties the Iowa all-time team record, held by Tyler Graovac. Bertschy sets the pace with 16 assists and four goals in 35 games played. Right wing Zack Mitchell leads the team in goals with 12 and is tied for third on the team in points with 18 in 38 games played. On NHL recall to Minnesota, Mike Reilly led all defensemen with 18 points in 32 games at the time of his departure. Winger Michael Keranen is fifth on the team with 17 points in 30 outings. Center Jordan Schroeder has 16 points in 22 games played.
Goalie Jeremy Smith (4-11-2) in 18 appearances. He has a 2.98 GAA and a .911 SV%. Leland Irving has made 22 appearances, going 5-13-3 with a 2.71 GAA and a .915 SV%.
Iowa ranks 20th after going 19-for-126 (15.1%) on the power play. The team is 103-for-127 (81.1%) on the penalty kill – 25th in the AHL.
Notables –
* The Wild is 6-11-2-3 in one-goal games this season. The 22 one-goal games are the most in the AHL.
Chicago Wolves
Defenseman Andre Benoit and center Pat Connone lead the Wolves in scoring. Benoit has three goals and 21 assists for 24 points in 35 games. Cannone is second in assists with 16 and has eight goals for 24 points in 33 games played. Defenseman Peter Harold (19 pts), as well as forwards Danny Kritso (18 points) and Ivan Barbashev (16 pts), rounds out the top scorers. Right wing Ty Rattie is with the parent club in St. Louis. He had nine goals and 23 points in 29 games with Chicago.
Wolves goalies Jordan Binnington and Phoenix Copley split time in net. Binnington (8-6-2) has made 17 appearances, posting a 2.57 GAA and a .910 SV%. Phoenix Copley (8-10-1) has played in 19 games, holding a 2.72 GAA and .906 SV%.
Chicago is 25-for-147 on the power play and sits 13th at 17.0%. The Wolves penalty kill sits 24th at 81.1%, going 108-for-133.