GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT TEXAS STARS 12.7.13
Dec 7, 2013MEDIA KIT - HERE
Iowa Wild (8-12-0-0, 16 points) at Texas Stars (13-8-2-2, 30 points)
The Iowa Wild continues a six-game road trip with its first visit to the Cedar Park Center for a meeting with West Division foe Texas this weekend. It marks the fourth game of six straight on the road for Iowa. The team is 2-1-0-0 on the current trip. The Wild heads off to Abbotsford for a pair of games before returning home on Dec. 15. Iowa suffered a 4-2 defeat on Friday night in Texas. The Wild is 5-2-0-0 on the road this year, outscoring the home clubs 26-17 this season. The Wild is 3-7-0-0 over the last ten outings and 5-6-0-0 against the West Division.
Texas is coming off a 4-2 win at home on Friday night over Iowa. The team improved to 9-2-0-1 at home this season, having outscored its opponents 55-33. The club is 5-1-0-1 over the last seven games on home ice. Texas is 5-3-0-2 over its last ten games and 5-6-1-0 against the Midwest division.
The Stars and Wild meet a total of six times during the season. After dropping the first meeting of the season, Texas has taken the last two. The teams split a two-game set in Des Moines the first weekend of November. Iowa will play its final game at Texas on Jan. 22. The Stars will make their final visit to Iowa on March 19. Minnesota's AHL Affiliate was in Houston for the 2012-13 season, going 40-26-5-5 (90 points / .592 %). The Aeros met the Stars 12 times last season, going 6-4-2-0. Over the last five years, Houston was 26-16-5-1 against Texas, including a 13-8-2-1 mark at Cedar Park Center.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
at Texas 12/7 7:00 PM KXNO 1460 / iHeart Radio
at Abbotsford 12/11 9:00 PM KXNO 1460 / iHeart Radio
at Abbotsford 12/12 9:00 PM iHeart Radio
Latest Transactions:
12/2 – Add forward Josh Caron (recalled from Orlando – ECHL)
12/1 – Add forward Jason Zucker (assigned – Minnesota – NHL)
11/29 – Delete forward Erik Haula (recalled - Minnesota – NHL)
Last Time Out:
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Texas Stars 4-2 in front of 4,533 fans at the Cedar Park Center on Friday night. Texas defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka scored a five-on-three power-play goal late in the second period, breaking a 2-2 tie and giving the Stars the lead for good. Despite 34 saves on 37 shots, Iowa goalie Darcy Kuemper took the loss. Texas forward Mike Hedden had a goal and an assist, as his club improved to 2-1-0-0 over Iowa this season. Wild forward Brett Bulmer scored both goals for his club. Texas goalie Jack Campbell made 24 saves for the win.
Iowa Wild
After 20 games, defenseman Brian Connelly leads the team in scoring with 14 points (13 assists) in 18 games played. Left wing Jason Zucker is second on the team in scoring with 13 points in 15 games played. Zucker has five points in his last three games and is second on the team with seven goals. Defenseman Jonathon Blum is third on the team in scoring with 11 points in 20 games played. His eight assists trail only Connelly. Second-year forwards Bulmer and Zack Phillips round out the scoring. Bulmer is first on the club with eight goals and fourth with 10 points. Phillips has three goals and six assists in 20 games played. Veteran center Carson McMillan has eight points (2G,6A) in 18 games played.
Goalies Johan Gustafsson and Darcy Kuemper man the nets for Iowa. Kuemper is 5-8-0 in 13 appearances, posting a 2.88 GAA and a .915 SV%. Johan Gustafsson is 3-3-0 with a 2.62 GAA and a .910 SV %.
Iowa is 18-for-95 (18.9 %) on the power play and has allowed 19 power-play goals against on 99 attempts (80.8%) The Wild is 28th in the AHL with a 2.35 goals against average and the team sits 15th with a 2.85 goals per game average.
Notables –
· Iowa has allowed the first goal in nine of the last 12 games. The team is 6-2-0-0 when scoring first.
· The Wild road power play is best in the AHL, converting 11 of 34 chances (32.4%)
· Texas has the #1 ranked power play at home, converting 18 for 48 (37.5%)
Texas Stars
The Stars return 17 players from last year’s team, which captured the regular season Western Conference title, going 43-22-5-6 with 97 points. Texas was knocked out in the second round by Oklahoma City.
With four points on Tuesday at Oklahoma City, fifth-year Star Colton Sceviour claimed the team lead in scoring. He has 17 goals and 12 assists for 29 points in 25 games played. He leads the AHL in goals and points. Veteran center Travis Morin was returned by Dallas and will be in the lineup on Saturday. He led the AHL with 29 points in 19 games prior to his recall. Forward Chris Mueller has ten goals and 22 points in 23 games played.
Goalies Christopher Nilstorp and Jack Campbell spit time in net. Nilstorp is 5-8-1 with a 3.23 GAA and a .892 SV %. Campbell is 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA and a .944 SV %.
Texas is top in the AHL, going 30-for-102 (29.4%) on the power play. The team has allowed 15 power-play goals against on 101 attempts (85.1%) The Wild is fourth in the AHL with a 3.48 goals against average and the team sits 20th with a 2.96 goals per game average.