GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 12.27.14
Dec 26, 2014Iowa Wild (10-18-1-1, 22 points) at Grand Rapids Griffins (14-11-3-0, 31 points)
Iowa concludes a stretch of two straight on the road, finishing with a visit to Grand Rapids. The two teams meet for the first time this season. They will meet six times, including the next game on Jan. 29 in Des Moines. Grand Rapids and Iowa both played in the Midwest Division last season. Iowa was moved to the West over the summer. The Wild is 2-7-1-0 all-time against Grand Rapids, having been outscored 31-15 last year. The Griffins have a three-game winning streak over the Wild dating back to last year. Iowa is 2-3-0-0 all-time at Grand Rapids. The Griffins are 8-2-0-0 all-time, with a 3-2-0-0 mark at the Van Andel Arena.
Iowa is 5-8-1-1 on the road this season, having been outscored 49-41 by the home teams. The team is coming off a 2-1 win at Rockford on Friday. The Wild is 5-4-0-1 over the last 10 games, while the Griffins are 5-4-1-0. Grand Rapids is 5-5-2-0 at home, equalizing the visitors in scoring at 36 per side. The Griffins are 11-5-2-0 after starting 3-6-1-0. Grand Rapids is coming off a 5-3 loss at Chicago on Monday.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
at Grand Rapids 12/27 6:00 PM (CT) KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Milwaukee 12/29 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio / MC 22
at Rochester 1/2 6:05 PM (CT) KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Utica 1/3 6 PM (CT) KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Texas 1/9 7:30 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
12.18.14 – Add / Delete – G Parker Milner (signed PTO / released)
12.23.14 – Add – G John Curry (assigned by Minnesota – NHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild defeated the Rockford IceHogs 2-1 in front of 5,161 fans on Friday at BMO Harris Bank Center. Iowa goalie John Curry was nearly perfect in leading his club to a road victory, finishing with 38 saves, including 14 in the third period. Forward Jordan Schroeder scored the decisive goal, putting a backhand shot between his legs late in the second period. Leading scorer Tyler Graovac also picked up his team-leading 11th goal of the year. Forward Michael Keranen had two assists, as Iowa took its third win over the last four games. Rockford goalie Michael Leighton made 22 saves for the loss.
Iowa Wild
Through the 30 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 11 goals and is third in assists with 12 for 23 points in 30 games this season. Keranen is tied for the team lead in scoring with 23 points. He leads the team with 18 assists in 30 games. Schroeder is third on the squad with six goals and 19 points in 24 games played. Center Brett Sutter is fourth on the team with 15 points off six goals and nine assists in 29 games played. Forwards Zack Phillips (13 pts) and Marc Hagel (12 pts) are also among the team leaders. Jon Blum leads all defensemen with four goals and 14 points in 25 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 5-6-0 with a 2.84 GAA and a 0.9117SV%. Johan Gustafsson is 5-11-1 with a 3.26 GAA and a .898 SV % in Iowa.
Iowa’s power play is ranked 19th at 15.4%, while the penalty kill sits 27th at 79.8%.
Notables –
· Wild goalie John Curry is 4-1-0 in December, sporting a 1.83 GAA and a .946 SV%.
· Iowa has killed off 23 of the last 24 penalty kills.
Grand Rapids Griffins
In the first 28 games of this season, second-year Griffin Teemu Pulkkinen leads his team in scoring with 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points. Heading into Friday night’s action, he was fourth in the AHL for points and tied for the league led in goals. He is also among the league leaders for shots on goal at 103. Center Andy Miele is second on the team in points with 24 points in 25 games played. He tied for the team lead with 15 assists. Left wing Mitch Callahan is third on the club with 21 points in 28 games played. He is tied for second in goals (9) and third on the club with 12 assists. Rookie Andreas Athanasiou is fourth on the team with 16 points off seven goals and nine assists in 25 games played. Veteran Kevin Porter (15 points) and Landon Ferraro (13 points) are also among the tam leaders in points. Defenseman Nathan Paetsch leads all Grand Rapids blueliners with 10 points in 27 games played.
Playing in 16 games this season for Grand Rapids, goalie Tom McCollum (5-8-3) is posting a 2.57 GAA and a .903 SV%. Goalie Petr Mrazek (3-2-0) is posting a 3.25 GAA and .876 SV% six games played for the Griffins this year. Rookie Jared Coreau is 6-1-0 with a 1.81 GAA and a .935 SV%. He has played four of the last five games.
Grand Rapid’s power play is ranked 10th at 18.2%, while the penalty kill sits 12th at 84.5%.