GAME PREVIEW - MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS AT IOWA WILD 10.18.14
Oct 18, 2014Milwaukee Admirals (3-0-0-0, 6 Points) at Iowa Wild (0-3-0-0, 0 points)
The Iowa Wild continues a four-game home stand with Opening Weekend and two straight against former division rival Milwaukee. In the first game, Milwaukee defeated Iowa 4-3 on Friday night. 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. After dropping two games in Texas last weekend, the Wild has now fallen in three straight. Milwaukee has now won three straight after wins over Charlotte, Rockford and Iowa. 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. Milwaukee was outscored last season 106-87 away from home.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
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 / MC22
at Milwaukee 10/29 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Oklahoma City 11/1 7:30 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Milwaukee Admirals 4-3 in front of 8,102 fans at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday night. The Admirals scored twice in the first 1:50 of the middle period and held off a late charge from Iowa for the one-goal win. Milwaukee forwards Colton Sissons and Austin Watson tallied the back-to-back goals early in the second period to propel the Admirals to victory. Wild goalie Johan Gustafsson stopped four of eight shots, taking the loss in 21:50 of action. He was pulled in favor of John Curry, who made 15 saves in a relief appearance. Goalie Marek Mazanec made 27 saves on 30 shoots for the Milwaukee’s third straight victory. Rookie forward Zack Mitchell and left wing Curt Gogol each picked up goals for Iowa in the defeat. The Wild rallied late in third period with a goal from Brett Sutter, but failed to complete the comeback.
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 join them for the first home stand in Des Moines.
Iowa Wild
Through the first three games of the season, forward Jordan Schroeder leads the team in scoring with five assists. Fellow center Tyler Graovac is second on the team in points with four off one goal and three assists. Defenseman Jon Blum and forward Michael Keranen each have one goal and two assists for three points.
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. Curry is 0-1-0 with a 2.51 GAA and a .922 SV% with Iowa. Johan Gustafsson is 0-2-0 with a 5.23 GAA and a .851 SV %.
Notables –
· Defenseman Stu Bickel began his career in Des Moines with the Iowa Chops in 2008-9.
· Defenseman Danny Syvret needs one point to reach 300 for his AHL career.
Milwaukee Admirals
Through the first three games of the season, rookie Brendan Leipsic leads the club in scoring with five assists. He set up three against Iowa on Friday night. Pontus Aberg and Austin Watson lead the Ads in goals scored with three each. Defenseman Joe Piskula is also among the team leaders with four assists.
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 has started all three games with a 3-0-0 mark, to go along with 2.66 GAA and a .909 SV%.