GAME PREVIEW - ROCKFORD ICEHOGS AT IOWA WILD 12.15
Dec 15, 2013MEDIA KIT - HERE
Rockford Ice Hogs (15-11-2-0, 32 points) at Iowa Wild (9-13-1-0, 19 points)
The Iowa Wild returns to Wells Fargo Arena for the first time since Nov. 24 against Abbotsford. The club returns home after a six-game road trip. The team wrapped up its trip on Thursday, splitting a pair of games at Western Conference leading Abbotsford. The team went 3-2-1-0 on the trip, which also included stops in Texas, San Antonio and Chicago.
Iowa is coming off a 4-2 win Thursday night in Abbotsford. The Wild is 6-3-1-0 on the road this year, outscoring the home clubs 33-27 this season. Iowa has a record of 3-10-0-0 on home ice, including an active streak of eight straight defeats at Wells Fargo Arena. The team’s last win at home was on Nov. 1 against Texas. The Wild is 3-6-1-0 over the last ten outings and 3-6-0-0 against the Midwest Division.
After starting out 7-2-1-0, Rockford has gone 8-9-1-0. The Hogs are coming off a 5-4 shootout win at home to Oklahoma City on Saturday night. The team is playing its’ third game in as many days after two straight against the Barons at home on Friday and Saturday. The Hogs are 6-7-2-0 on the road this year and 5-6-0-0 against the Midwest Division. Rockford is riding a successful streak at 4-0-1-0 over the last five. The club is 6-3-1-0 over the last ten outings.
The two teams will meet for the third of ten meetings this season. It’s the first of five games in Des Moines. Iowa split a pair of games at Rockford in Mid-November. The two teams meet again on Dec. 26 at Wells Fargo Arena.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
vs. Rockford 12/15 4:05 PM KXNO 1460 / iHeart Radio
vs. Grand Rapids 12/18 7:05 PM KXNO 1460 / iHeart Radio
vs. Hamilton 12/20 7:05 PM KXNO 1460 / iHeart Radio / Mediacom22
Latest Transactions:
12/14 – Add forward Marc Hagel (signed PTO - from South Carolina – ECHL)
12/13 – Add forward Jason Zucker (assigned - Minnesota – NHL)
1213 – Delete forward Erik Haula (recalled - Minnesota – NHL)
Last Time Out:
The Iowa Wild defeated the Abbotsford Heat 4-2 in front of 1,536 fans at the Abbotsford Sports and Entertainment Centre on Thursday night. Rookie forward Erik Haula led his club to a come-from-behind victory on the road, scoring two goals in the second period and finishing with three points. Goaltender Johan Gustafsson did not allow a goal after the first period, stopping all 19 shots in the final forty minutes of play for the win. Forward Kris Foucault added two goals, helping the Wild finish a six-game road trip 3-2-1-0. Abbotsford goalie Joey MacDonald made 30 saves in the loss.
Iowa Wild
After 23 games, defensemen Brian Connelly and Jonathon Blum lead the team in scoring with 14 points each. Connelly has 13 assists and one goal in 21 games played. Defenseman Jonathon Blum has three goals and 11 assists in 23 games played. His 11 assists trail only Connelly. Blum has nine points in his last 11 games. Erik Haula had 14 points in 20 games prior to his recall to Minnesota. Also recalled is forward Brett Bulmer, who left as the team leader in goals (9) and shots (62). Forward Jason Zucker returns from a recent call up, he has seven goals and 12 points in only 16 games with Iowa. With two goals on Thursday night, Kris Foucault joined the team leaders with nine points. Forwards Warren Peters and Zack Phillips round out the top scorers with nine points each.
Goalies Johan Gustafsson and Darcy Kuemper man the nets for Iowa. Kuemper is 5-9-0 in 14 appearances, posting a 2.80 GAA and a .919 SV%. Kuemper has stopped 154 of the last 164 (.939 SV %) shots faced, going 2-2-0. Johan Gustafsson is 4-4-0 with a 2.95 GAA and a .898 SV %.
Iowa is 20-for-104 (19.2 %) on the power play and has allowed 22 power-play goals against on 109 attempts (79.8%) The Wild is 29th in the AHL with a 2.35 goals against average and the team sits 16th with a 2.91 goals per game average.
Notables –
· Warren Peters needs two assists to reach 100 for his AHL career.
· Forward Marc Hagel is expected to make his Iowa debut.
Rockford IceHogs
Defenseman Adam Clendening leads Rockford in scoring with four goals and 17 assists for 21 points in 28 games played. He ranks third in the AHL for points by a defenseman. Left wing Terry Broadhurst is second on the club in points with 19 in 26 games. He is also among the team leaders with seven goals. Rookie forwards Alex Broadhurst and Mark McNeill are also among the team leaders in points. Broadhurst has 12 assists and 17 points in 28 games played. McNeill has nine goals and 17 points in 28 games played. McNeill and Brad Winchester (8) lead the team in goals.
Goalies Jason LaBarbera, Allen York and Mac Carruth are all in net for Rockford. LaBarbera is 0-1-1 with a 1.93 GAA and a .953 save %. York spent time with Texas and is 3-1-2 with a 2.42 GAA and a .918 save %. He posted a shutout for Texas at Iowa on Nov. 2 and has not played for Rockford yet. Carruth is 2-1-0 with a 4.08 GAA and a .852 save %.
The IceHogs are 17th in the AHL on the power play, going 20 for 118 (16.9%). Rockford is 30th on the penalty kill, allowing 33 power-play goals against on 128 attempts (74.2%).