GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT CHICAGO WOLVES 12.20.14
Dec 20, 2014Iowa Wild (8-17-1-1, 18 points) at Chicago Wolves (14-10-3-0, 31)
The Iowa Wild begins a home-and-home series with the Chicago Wolves prior to the holiday break. The two teams have played three times this season, with the Wolves taking all three decisions by a combined score of 12-5. The last time the two clubs met, Chicago posted a 3-2 win at home on Nov. 22. The two teams will meet eight times this season after playing in 10 games last year. Over the summer, Iowa was shifted to the West Division and is no longer a Midwest Division rival of the Wolves. Iowa is 4-6-1-2 against Chicago overall, including a 2-2-1-1 record at Allstate Arena. Chicago is 9-1-1-2 overall, including a 4-1-0-1 record at home.
Iowa is 3-8-1-1 on the road this season, having been outscored 47-34 by the home teams. Chicago is 6-2-2-0 at home, outscoring the visitors 27-19. The Wolves are 4-6-0-0 over the last 10 games, while Iowa is 4-5-0-1. The Wild is coming off a 5-1 victory over Rockford at home on Tuesday. The Wolves are coming off a 4-1 loss to Adirondack at home on Wednesday night.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
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
vs. Milwaukee 12/29 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio/ MC 22
Transactions:
12.15.14 - Delete – C Brett Sutter (recalled to Minnesota – NHL)
12.17.14 - Delete – G John Curry (recalled to Minnesota – NHL)
12.18.14 – Add – C Brett Sutter (recalled to Minnesota – NHL)
12.18.14 - Add – G John Curry (recalled to Minnesota – NHL)
12.18.14 – Add / Delete – G Parker Milner (signed PTO / released)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild defeated the Rockford IceHogs 5-1 in front of 3,633 fans on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Goalies John Curry and Johan Gustafsson combined to make a team record 58 saves in a lopsided win over the AHL’s Western Conference co-leaders. Defenseman Matt Dumba, as well as forwards Michael Keranen, Zack Phillips and Jordan Schroeder, each had a multi-point game as the Wild ended an eight-game losing streak to the IceHogs. Forwards Zack Mitchell and Jason Gregoire, as well as defenseman Jon Blum also scored, as Iowa improved to 5-9-0-0 at home this season. Curry played the first two periods, grabbing the win with 33 saves on 34 shots. Gustafsson played the third period in relief, stopping all 25 shots he faced. Rockford goalie Michael Leighton made 20 saves on 24 shots, as the Midwest Division leaders dropped to 10-5-0-1 on the road this season.
Iowa Wild
Through the 27 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 is second in assists with 12 for 20 points in 27 games this season. Keranen is second on the team in scoring with 19 points. He leads the team with 14 assists in 27 games. Schroeder is third on the squad with five goals and 17 points in 21 games played. Marc Hagel is among the team leaders with six goals and has 12 points in 18 games. Defenseman Jon Blum is also among the team leaders with four goals and 12 points in 22 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 4-6-0 with a 3.02 GAA and a 0.911 SV%. Johan Gustafsson is 4-10-1-0 with a 3.35 GAA and a .898 SV % in Iowa.
Iowa’s power play is ranked 22nd at 14.8%, while the penalty kill sits 27th at 79.4%.
Notables –
· On Tuesday night in Des Moines, Iowa saw numerous team records broken and set numbers among the AHL season highs. Rockford’s 25 third period shots is the most allowed in Iowa history, to go along with the 59 shots allowed in the game. The Wild surrendered 54 shots at San Antonio on 11.30.14. In that game, Josh Harding made 50 saves to set a new team mark for a single game total. Johan Gustafsson set the new team mark for most saves in one period with 25. Iowa has set AHL highs for shots against in a game, as well as one period. The previous team high for shots allowed was 22 at home against Texas on 11.2.13.
· Iowa has killed off 17 straight penalties dating back seven games to Nov. 30 at San Antonio.
Chicago Wolves
Through 27 games this season, forwards Ty Rattie, Pat Cannone, Phillip McRae and Rob Bordson lead the Wolves in scoring. Rattie leads the AHL in goals with 14 and is first in points among all Wolves with 18 in 27 games played. Cannoned is tied with Rattie for the team lead in points with 18 in 27 games played. He leads the team with 12 assists. McRae has played in 24 games this season and is second on the club in goals with eight and is tied for third in points with 16. Rob Bordson is tied for third on the team with 16 points off five goals and 11 assists. He is tied for second on the team with 11 assists Shane Harper (14 pts.) and Jeremy Welsh (13 pts.) round out Chicago’s top scorers. Right wing Cody Beach is among the AHL leaders with 130 penalty minutes in 21 games played.
Playing in 15 games this season, goalie Matt Climie (7-6-2) is posting a 2.44 GAA and a 0.904 SV% in 911:39 minutes. Goalie Jordan Binnington (7-4-1) is posting a 2.809 GAA and a 0.919 SV% in 12 games played this year.
Chicago’s power play is ranked ninth at 19.0%, while its penalty kill sits at 15th at 83.7%.