GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT ROCHESTER AMERICANS 2.19.14
Feb 18, 2014Iowa Wild (21-19-5-4, 51 points) at Rochester Americans (25-18-3-3, 58 points)
Wednesday’s game is one of two rare meetings this season between Rochester and Iowa. The first meeting is at Blue Cross Arena, while the second meeting is on Thursday, Feb. 27 at Wells Fargo Arena. The last time these two teams met, Minnesota’s AHL affiliate was in Houston. The Aeros and Americans split, with Houston winning 3-1 on the road.
Iowa has dropped two of the last three games and is coming off back-to-back losses at home to Rockford. The Wild last played on Sunday, falling to the IceHogs 4-2. Iowa only has two wins over its last eight games (2-3-2-1). The Wild has a record of 11-6-2-3 on the road, outscored by the opposition 67-65. Iowa is 4-3-2-1 over the last ten outings and 3-1-1-1 against the North Division. Iowa will play three straight against North Division opponents, with the next two games at Lake Erie.
Rochester is coming off one of the longest winning streaks in the league this year, rattling off seven straight wins from Jan. 17 to Feb. 1. The Americans are the eighth seeded team in the AHL’s Western Conference. Rochester is 7-3-0-0 over the last ten games and 15-7-1-2 at home. The team has outscored the visitors at Blue Cross Arena 82-67. The Americans have played six games against the North Division, going 2-4-0-0.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
at Rochester 2/18 6 PM CT KXNO 1460 / iHeartRadio
at Lake Erie 2/21 6:30 PM CT KXNO 1460 / iHeartRadio
at Lake Erie 2/22 6 PM CT KXNO 1460 / iHeartRadio
Latest Transactions:
2/17 – Delete forward Jack Downing (released from PTO – returns to South Carolina - ECHL).
2/16 – Add forward Taylor Matson (recalled from Orlando – ECHL)
2/13 – Add forward Riley Brace (recalled from Ontario- ECHL)
Last Time Out:
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Rockford IceHogs 4-2 in front of 6,814 fans at Wells Fargo Arena on Sunday. IceHogs forward Brandon Pirri scored a pair of goals, including the game-winning tally with 4:58 remaining in regulation. Iowa forward Curt Gogol and defender Jonathon Blum each scored in the defeat. Wild goalie John Curry stopped 26 shots as his club moved to a 10-13-3-1 record at home. Rockford goalie Jason LaBarbera made 32 saves, helping his team sweep the weekend series.
Iowa Wild
After 49 games, defenseman Brian Connelly leads the team in scoring with 30 points in 46 appearances. Connelly has a team-high 26 assists, including a team-leading 13 on the power play. With seven points in his last four games, Forward Erik Haula moved into second for the team-scoring race with 24 points in 28 games. He has a team-high 12 goals and is third with 11 power-play points. Defenseman Jonathon Blum, as well as forward Carson McMillan are also among the top scorers. McMillan has a team-leading 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 42 games played. He is currently out with an injury. Blum has six goals and 19 assists for 25 points in 42 games played. Forward Zack Phillips has nine goals and 14 assists for 23 points in 49 games played. Third in goal scoring, Brett Bulmer (10 goals) is currently out with an injury. Forward Warren Peters is also among the active skaters in points with 18 (7g/11a).
Goalies Johan Gustafsson and John Curry man the nets for Iowa. Johan Gustafsson is 8-11-2 with a 3.10 GAA and a .903 SV %. Curry is 6-3-2 with a 1.95 GAA and a .939 SV%.
Iowa is 37-for-209 (17.7%) on the power play and has allowed 38 power-play goals against on 194 attempts (80.4%). The Wild is 25th in the AHL with a 2.53 goals per game average and the team sits 16th with a 2.88 goals against average.
Notables –
· Minnesota traded Johan Larsson and goalie Matt Hackett to Buffalo last season, acquiring Jason Pominville.
Rochester Americans
Forwards Luke Adam and Phil Varone lead Rochester in scoring. Adam leads the team with 21 goals, including a team leading 10 on the power play. Adam has 37 points in 35 games played. Varone leads the team with 26 assists and is second with 36 points in 42 games played. Jamie Tardif is third on the team with 31 points in 36 games played. Former Minnesota Wild Draft Pick Johan Larsson is fourth on the team with 28 points in 28 games played.
Goalies Nathan Lieuwan and Matt Hackett are all in net for Rochester. Lieuwan is 12-7-1 with a 2.48 GAA and a .920 SV%. Hackett is 13-14-2 with a 2.78 GAA and a .907 SV%. He played in MN’s system for three seasons before a trade to Buffalo.
Rochester is 42-for-221 (19.0%) on the power play and has allowed 45 power-play goals against on 234 attempts (80.8%). The Americans are 14th in the AHL with a 2.94 goals per game average and the team sits 14th with a 2.82 goals against average.