GAME PREVIEW - OKLAHOMA CITY BARONS AT IOWA WILD 11.14.14
Nov 14, 2014Oklahoma City Barons (5-3-2-1, 13 Points) at Iowa Wild (3-10-0-0, 6 points)
The Iowa Wild plays Oklahoma City for the third time this season, as the two teams met a few weeks ago in Oklahoma City to open the season series. The Barons swept both games by a combined score of 9-5. They will meet again on Saturday in Des Moines. Iowa and Oklahoma City are West Division rivals after the AHL realignment during the offseason. They play a total of eight games this season, including two more in OKC and four at Wells Fargo Arena. The Barons and Wild played four times last season, with OKC taking the final three meetings by outscoring Iowa 11-8. The Barons were 3-1-0-0, including 2-0-0-0 at home. The Wild was 1-1-1-1 overall, taking points in three of four games.
Iowa returns home after a 3-2 win in Milwaukee on Wednesday night. The team is 1-6-0-0 at home, having been outscored 28-14 at home. The Wild has dropped three straight at home, but ended a five-game losing skid on Wednesday in Milwaukee. Oklahoma City is coming off a 3-2 shootout loss at home to San Antonio. The Barons are 1-1-2-0 at on the road, having been outscored by the home teams 16-13.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
vs. Oklahoma City 11/14 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio – MC22
vs. Oklahoma City 11/15 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Rockford 11/21 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Chicago 11/22 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Milwaukee 11/23 5:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
11.11.14 Add – G Parker Milner (signed PTO – From Quad City – ECHL)
11.12.14 Add – D Jonathon Blum (assigned by Minnesota – NHL)
11.12.14 Add – F Stephane Veilleux (assigned by Minnesota – NHL)
11.12.14 Delete – D Stu Bickel (recalled by Minnesota – NHL)
11.12.14 Delete – D Jordan Schroeder (recalled by Minnesota – NHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild defeated the Milwaukee Admirals 3-2 in front of 2,454 fans at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Wednesday night. After falling behind 2-1 in the second period, Iowa stormed back with two goals before the middle frame expired, claiming a 3-2 lead and holding on for its third win of the year. Tyler Graovac and Zack Phillips each tallied second-period markers to propel the team to its second win over the Admirals this season. Iowa goalie Johan Gustafsson picked up the win with 26 saves, including 11 saves in the third to preserve the victory. Milwaukee forward Michael Liambass scored twice in the second period for the Admirals. Milwaukee goalie Marek Mazanec dropped his third straight start with 24 saves on 27 shots. The win marks the first victory under newly appointed Head Coach John Torchetti.
Iowa Wild
Through the 13 games of the season, forwards Marc Hagel, Michael Keranen and Tyler Graovac are tied for the team lead in points. Forward Jordan Schroeder was leading the team with seven assists and 11 points in 12 games prior to an NHL call up. Hagel leads the team with five goals and has eight points in nine games. Graovac is second on the team in assists with six and has eight points in 13 games played. Forward Michael Keranen has three goals and five assists totaling eight points. He leads all Wild rookies in points and shots (25). Center Brett Sutter has one goal and six assists for seven points in 13 games played.
Goalies Johan Gustafsson, Parker Milner and John Curry man the Iowa Wild crease. Curry is 0-4-0 with a 3.72 GAA and a .885 SV% with Iowa. Johan Gustafsson is 3-6-0 with a 3.50 GAA and a .889 SV %.
Iowa’s power play is ranked 21st at 14.3%, while the penalty kill sits 29th at 76.1%.
Notables –
· Iowa forward Marc Hagel has five goals and eight points in his last seven games.
· Iowa Head Coach John Torchetti makes his home debut on Friday versus Oklahoma City. He holds a 106-74-28 record for his AHL career. He was named the second head coach in team history on Nov. 11.
Oklahoma City Barons
In the first 11 games this season, veteran forward Jason Williams leads the Barons in scoring with 11 points in ten games played. He is tied for the team lead in assists and second on the team in goals scored. Left wing Ryan Hamilton is second on the team with nine points in ten games. Hamilton has a team high six goals, including five on the power play. Forwards Adam Miller and Anton Lander are also among the team leaders with eight points each.
The Barons have two goalies, led by Richard Bachman (3-0-2), who has a 2.46 GAA and a .913 SV%. Goalie Laurent Brossoit (0-3-0) is posting a 3.39 GAA and a 0.891 SV% in three games.
Oklahoma City’s power play is ranked 1st at 29.4%, while the penalty kill sits 22nd at 80.4%.