GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT CHARLOTTE CHECKERS 12.6.14
Dec 6, 2014Iowa Wild (5-14-1-1, 12 points) at Charlotte Checkers (7-11-2-0, 16 Points)
The Iowa Wild concludes a five-game road trip with a two-game stop in Charlotte on Saturday and Sunday. The two teams met for a pair of games in October at Wells Fargo Arena. Charlotte took the first game 5-1 on Oct. 24 and Iowa claimed the second meeting 4-1 on Oct. 25. After AHL division realignment this summer the two teams find themselves in the West Division. Iowa and Charlotte played four times in 2013-14, as the Wild opened its inaugural season with a pair of wins in Charlotte to start the year. The Checkers came to Des Moines and won a pair of games at Wells Fargo Arena in March. Both teams are 3-3-0-0 in the all-time series. Iowa is 2-0-0-0 at Charlotte, while the Checkers are 3-1-0-0 at Wells Fargo Arena.
Iowa is 2-7-1-1 on the road this season, having been outscored 42-29 by the home teams. The Wild is coming off a 5-4 shootout defeat at San Antonio on Sunday. Charlotte is 5-4-1-0 at home, outscored by the visitors 30-26 at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Checkers are 4-4-4-0 over the last ten games. Charlotte has points in three straight (2-0-1-0) and is coming off a 3-2 OT loss at home on Tuesday to Norfolk. Iowa is 3-5-1-1 over the last ten games.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
at Charlotte 12/6 6:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Charlotte 12/8 6:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. San Antonio 12/11 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. San Antonio 12/12 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Adirondack 12/14 3:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
12.1.14 – Delete D Christian Folin (recalled by Minnesota – NHL)
12.2.14 – Delete F Cody Almond (reassigned to Geneve – Swiss A)
12.3.14 Add – D Justin Falk (assigned by Minnesota – NHL)
12.5.14 – Delete F Raphael Bussieres (reassigned to Alaska – ECHL)
12.5.14 – Delete G Johan Gustafsson (reassigned to Alaska – ECHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in a shootout in front of 3,383 fans at AT&T Center on Sunday. In a game that featured four lead changes, the Rampage extended its unbeaten streak to nine games (8-0-1-0) by outlasting the Iowa Wild in a shootout. Goalie Josh Harding made his Iowa debut with a team record 50 saves in regulation, as well as one save in the shootout loss. He made 17 saves in the opening frame, his first game action since Dec. 31, 2013. Defenseman Mathew Dumba, as well as forwards Tyler Graovac, Jason Gregoire and Jordan Schroeder each scored in regulation. Forward Michael Keranen posted his second straight multi-point night with two assists and the Wild slipped to winless over the last three games (0-2-0-1). Forward Mark Mancari scored the decisive shootout goal to help San Antonio pick up the win. Rampage goalie Michael Houser stopped 36 of 40 in regulation, and two of three attempts for the shootout win.
Iowa Wild
Through the 21 games of the season, forwards Tyler Graovac, Michael Keranen and Jordan Schroeder are the team’s leading scorers. Graovac is first on the team with six goals and tied for second with ten assists for 17 points. Michael Keranen is second on the team in scoring with 16 points. He leads the team with 12 assists in 21 games. Schroeder is third on the squad with five goals and 15 points in 18 games played. Center Brett Sutter is fourth on the team with 11 points in 21 games played off three goals and eight assists. Marc Hagel is among the team leaders with six goals and has nine points in 12 games. Hagel had five points in his last six games, but has missed time recently with an injury.
Goalies John Curry and Josh Harding man the Iowa Wild crease. Harding is 0-0-0-1 with a 3.58 GAA and a .926 SV%. Curry is 1-5-0 with a 3.59 GAA and a .896 SV%. Prior to his assignment to Alaska on Dec. 4, Johan Gustafsson was 4-9-1-0 with a 3.53 GAA and a .890 SV %.
Iowa’s power play is ranked 21st at 15.4%, while the penalty kill sits 30th at 76.1%.
Notables –
· Forwards Curt Gogol and Stephane Veilleux return from a two-game suspension, missing games on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30.
Charlotte Checkers
In the first 20 games this season, right wing Greg Nemisz leads the Checkers with eight goals and six assists for 14 total points. Four Charlotte forwards are tied for second on the team in points with nine each. Right wing Justin Shugg is second on the team with seven goals scored and second in points with nine in 12 games played. Left wing Brock McGinn is third on the team with five goals and is also tied for second in points with nine in 19 games played. Phil Di Giuseppe (3g-6a) and Chad Larose (2g-7a) are also tied for second in scoring with nine points. Chris Terry recently returned from Carolina, he has two points in four games. Ryan Murphy is among the leaders in points among defensemen, he has seven assists in 12 games.
Playing in 15 games this year, goalie Drew MacIntyre (6-8-1) is posting a 2.82 GAA and a 0.909 SV%. Goalie John Muse (1-3-1) is posting a 2.82 GAA and a 0.906 SV% in seven games played.
Charlotte's power play is ranked 29th in the AHL at 10.8%, while its penalty kill is 18th at 81.4%.