GAME PREVIEW - MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS AT IOWA WILD 10.17.14
Oct 17, 2014Milwaukee Admirals (2-0-0-0, 4 Points) at Iowa Wild (0-2-0-0, 0 points)
The Iowa Wild begins a four-game home stand with Opening Weekend and two straight against former division rival Milwaukee. The two teams met ten times in 2013-14, with the Admirals taking the season series at 8-2-0-0. The Wild was 2-6-1-1 overall and 0-4-1-0 at home last season against the Ads. Iowa opened the season with a pair of games in Texas and is coming off a 4-2 defeat at the defending Calder Cup Champion Stars on Saturday. Milwaukee is coming off a pair of wins, including a 3-2 win at Rockford on Saturday night. The Wild and Admirals will play a total of eight times in 2014-15.
Iowa starts a four-game home stand with Milwaukee and Charlotte visiting Wells Fargo Arena. The Wild went 11-22-3-2 at home last season, outscored 114-74. The Wild was second overall last season with 23 overtime appearances. The Admirals finished last season with 39-24-6-7 record, including a 15-15-3-5 mark on the road. The Admirals were outscored last season 106-87 away from home.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
vs. Milwaukee 10/17 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Milwaukee 10/18 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Charlotte 10/24 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Charlotte 10/25 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Milwaukee 10/29 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Texas Stars 4-2 in front of 6,863 fans at Cedar Park Center on Saturday night. Stars goalie Jussi Rynnas made 20 saves on 22 shots and the defending champs opened their season with a two-goal victory at home. Defensemen Julius Honka and John Klingberg netted power-play goals to push the Stars past the Wild. Iowa forwards Brady Brassart and Tyler Graovac each scored in the defeat. Defenseman Jon Blum set up both tallies, giving him four assists in two games. Wild goalie John Curry stopped 32 of 36 shots in the loss.
Home Debuts:
The Iowa Wild has numerous skaters making their debuts in front of the home fans over the four-game stand. Forwards Jordan Schroeder, Michael Keranen, Cody Almond, Joel Rechlicz, Zack Mitchell and Brett Sutter are each expected to play their first game at Wells Fargo Arena for the green and white. Defensemen Jake Parenteau, Stu Bickel, Alex Gudbranson, Guillaume Gelinas, Justin Falk will join them for the first home stand in Des Moines.
Iowa Wild
Through the first two games of the season, three skaters are tied for the team-lead in scoring with three points each. Defenseman Jon Blum and center Tyler Graovac each has one goal and two assists. Forward Jordan Schroeder has a team high three assists. Rookie Michael Keranen has a goal and an assist for two points in two games. Rookie Brady Brassart has one goal in his only game.
Iowa returns 15 players who skated with last year’s team, including 13-14 leading scorer Zack Phillips. The third-year forward led the club with 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points in 76 games. Forwards Tyler Graovac (13g, 25 pts), Brett Bulmer (11g-19 pts), Marc Hagel (8g-15 pts) and Raphael Bussieres (5g,19 pts) all return for their second season in Iowa. Penalty-minute leaders defenseman Corbin Baldwin (129) and forward Curt Gogol (204), also return for their second season with the Wild. After leading the blueline in points in 2013-14, defenseman Jon Blum returns for his second season in Iowa.
Goalies John Curry and Johan Gustafsson return to the Iowa Wild crease. Each goalie has a start this season, with Curry making 32 saves in a 4-2 loss at Texas on Saturday. Gustafsson stopped 36 in a 3-2 loss Friday in San Antonio. Curry was 7-9-2 with a 2.62 GAA and a .920 SV% with Iowa in 2013-14. Johan Gustafsson was 12-20-4 with a 2.98 GAA and a .903 SV %.
Notables –
· Defenseman Stu Bickel began his career in Des Moines with the Iowa Chops in 2008-9.
Milwaukee Admirals
The Admirals return 11 players from last season’s roster, including last year’s rookie and team leading scorer, left wing Miikka Salomaki. He led Milwaukee and was fifth among rookies in total points, netting 20 goals and 30 assists for 50 points in 75 games played. Center Austin Watson suits up for his third season with the Admirals after scoring 22 goals and 24 assists for 46 points in 76 games last year. Watson leads Milwaukee in goals (2) and points (1) in this young season. Colton Sissons starts his sophomore year after collecting 44 points for Milwaukee in the previous season. Defenseman Anthony Bitetto returns for his third season, following 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 73 games played in 2013-14.
Goalie Marek Mazanec should see most of the time in front of the net for Milwaukee. He was 18-10-3 with a 2.44 GAA and a .914 SV% in 1865:43 minutes last year. This season he has 2.52 GAA and a .914 SV% in 119:17 minutes.