GAME PREVIEW - ROCKFORD ICEHOGS AT IOWA WILD 12.16.14
Dec 16, 2014Rockford IceHogs (18-7-2-1, 39 Points) at Iowa Wild (7-17-1-1, 16 points)
The Iowa Wild concludes a four-game home stand after going 1-2-0-0 in the first three of the home set. Iowa took the first game with a win over San Antonio on Thursday. The team has dropped the last two with a 3-0 loss to the Rampage on Friday and a 2-1 defeat on Sunday to Adirondack. The Wild and Hogs have met three times this season, with Rockford taking each meeting by a combined score of 15-7, including the last meeting, a 6-1 IceHogs win at home on Nov. 26. Rockford and Iowa meet eight times this season after playing in 10 games last year. Iowa is 4-8-1-0 all-time against Rockford, including a 2-4-0-0 home record. The Hogs are 9-3-0-1 all-time, with a 4-2-0-0 mark on the road. Dating back to last season, the IceHogs have won eight straight over the Wild, outscoring them 39-18.
Iowa is 4-9-0-0 at home this season, having been outscored 42-29 by the visitors. Iowa plays four straight at home over six days from Thursday to Tuesday. The team has played seven of the last 11 games on the road. Rockford is 10-4-0-1 on the road, outscoring the home teams 44-26. The Hogs are 5-3-2-0 over the last 10 games, while Iowa is 3-6-0-1. The Hogs are coming off a 5-2 at Lake Erie on Saturday night.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
vs. Rockford 12/16 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Chicago 12/20 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Chicago 12/21 3:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Rockford 12/26 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Grand Rapids 12/27 6:00 PM (CT) KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
12.8.14 – Add G Johan Gustafsson (recalled from Alaska – ECHL)
12.10.14 Delete – D Justin Falk (recalled by Minnesota – NHL)
12.14.14 Add – D Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel (signed PTO – Quad City – ECHL)
12.15.14 – Delete – C Brett Sutter (recalled to Minnesota – NHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Adirondack Flames 2-1 in front of 4,955 fans on Sunday at Wells Fargo Arena. With the game tied 1-1 in the third period, rookie forward Emile Poirier scored at the 15:48 mark, lifting Adirondack past Iowa. Rookie forward Bill Arnold also scored for the Flames. Adirondack goalie Brad Thiessen made 26 saves on 27 shots, picking up the road win. Despite stopping 28 of 30 shots, Iowa goalie Johan Gustafsson recorded the defeat. Wild Captain Stephane Veilleux scored Iowa’s lone goal.
Iowa Wild
Through the 26 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 eight goals and tied for team lead in assists with 12 for 20 points in 26 games this season. Keranen is second on the team in scoring with 17 points. He is tied for the team lead with 12 assists in 26 games. Schroeder is third on the squad with five goals and 15 points in 20 games played. Marc Hagel is among the team leaders with six goals and has 12 points in 17 games. Hagel has eight points in his last 11 games. Defenseman Jon Blum is also among the team leaders with three goals and 11 points in 21 games played.
Goalies Johan Gustafsson, John Curry and Josh Harding man the Iowa Wild crease. Harding is 0-1-1 with a 3.37 GAA and a .920 SV%. Curry is 3-6-0 with a 3.12 GAA and a 0.905 SV%. Johan Gustafsson is 4-10-1-0 with a 3.43 GAA and a .893 SV % in Iowa.
Iowa’s power play is ranked 22nd at 14.3%, while the penalty kill sits 29th at 78.4%.
Notables –
· The last time Iowa beat Rockford in regulation was Dec. 26, 2013 – a 5-2 win at home.
· Iowa has killed of 12 straight penalties dating back six games to Nov. 30 at San Antonio.
Rockford IceHogs
In the first 28 games of this season, defenseman TJ Brennan, as well as forwards Garrett Ross and Phillip Danualt lead Rockford in points. Brennan is first on the team with 17 assists and 24 points in 28 games played. Brennan was the AHL’s leading scorer among defenseman in 2013-14 and was awarded the Eddie Shore trophy for league’s most outstanding defenseman. Ross has a team-high 11 goals and is second on the team with 20 points in 28 games played. Ross and Brennan lead the team with a +17 each. Danualt is tied for second on the team with 15 assists and he is third on the team with 19 points in 23 games played. Rookie forward Teuvo Teravainen is also among the team leaders with 18 points in 26 games played. Forward Mark McNeill is second on the team with nine goals and has accumulated 16 points in 15 games played. Patrick Regin has suited up 25 times for Rockford, scoring five times and totaling 15 points.
Playing in 15 games this season for Rockford, goalie Michael Leighton (7-5-2) is posting a 2.32 GAA and a .916 SV%. Recalled to Chicago, goalie Scott Darling (8-2-1) was posting a 2.05 GAA and .929 SV% in 11 games played for the IceHogs this year. Mac Carruth has played in two games, going 2-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and a .960 SV %.
Rockford’s power play is ranked 19th at 15.2%, while the penalty kill sits second at 87.3%.