GAME PREVIEW - OKLAHOMA CITY BARONS AT IOWA WILD 11.15.14
Nov 15, 2014Oklahoma City Barons (5-4-2-1, 13 Points) at Iowa Wild (4-10-0-0, 8 points)
The Iowa Wild plays Oklahoma City for the fourth time this season, as the two teams met last night at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa posted its first win of the season over OKC with a 4-2 decision. The same two teams a few weeks ago in Oklahoma City to open the season series. The Barons swept both games by a combined score of 9-5. 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 looks for its first set of back-to-back wins at home all season and potentially a three-game winning streak. The team is 2-6-0-0 at home, having been outscored 30-18 at home. The Wild ended a three-game home skid with the win on Friday. The Barons are 1-2-2-0 at on the road, having been outscored by the home teams 20-15.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
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
at Rockford 11/26 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
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)
11.14.14 Add – D Christian Folin (assigned by Minnesota – NHL)
11.14.14 Delete – D Justin Falk (recalled by Minnesota – NHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild defeated the Oklahoma City Barons 4-2 in front of 4,989 fans at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday night. A three-goal first period propelled the Wild to its second straight victory. Iowa rookie defenseman Alex Gudbranson netted his first career goal to begin the trio of scores in the first, followed by forwards Brett Sutter and Tyler Graovac. The Barons pulled within a goal in the second period, but an insurance tally from forward Marc Hagel secured the Wild’s win. Iowa goalie Johan Gustafsson made 26 saves on 28 shots to preserve the win. Oklahoma City goalie Richard Bachman stopped 17 of 21 shots in the defeat.
Iowa Wild
Through the 14 games of the season, center Tyler Graovac is the team’s active leading scorer with ten points off three goals and seven assists. Forward Jordan Schroeder was leading the team with seven assists and 11 points in 12 games prior to an NHL call up. Forwards Marc Hagel and Brett Sutter are tied for third in scoring with nine points each. Hagel leads the team with six goals and has nine points in ten games. Sutter is tied for the team lead with seven assists to go with two goals in 14 games played. Forward Michael Keranen has three goals and five assists totaling eight points in 14 games played. He leads all Wild rookies in points and shots (25).
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 4-6-0 with a 3.34 GAA and a .893 SV %.
Iowa’s power play is ranked 19th at 15.2%, while the penalty kill sits 30th at 75.0%.
Notables –
· Iowa forward Marc Hagel has six goals and nine points in his last eight games.
· Iowa Head Coach John Torchetti made his home debut on Friday versus Oklahoma City. He holds a 107-74-28 record for his AHL career. He was named the second head coach in team history on Nov. 11.
Oklahoma City Barons
In the first 12 games this season, veteran forward Jason Williams leads the Barons in scoring with 11 points in 11 games played. He is second in assists with six and second on the team with five goals scored. Team Captain Anton Lander leads the team with eight assists and is second with ten points in 12 games. Left wing Ryan Hamilton is third on the team with nine points in 11 games. Hamilton has a team-high six goals, including five on the power play. Forward Andrew Miller is also among the team leaders with eight points.
The Barons have two goalies, led by Richard Bachman (3-1-2), who has a 2.73 GAA and a .901 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 30.4%, while the penalty kill sits 24th at 79.6%.