GAME PREVIEW - IOWA WILD AT CHARLOTTE CHECKERS 2.19.15
Feb 19, 2015Iowa Wild (17-35-1-1, 36 points) at Charlotte Checkers (19-26-5-1, 44 Points)
Iowa continues a three-game road swing starting with two games in Charlotte and finishing with one in Milwaukee. Iowa and Charlotte met on Wednesday night, with the Checkers taking a 4-1 decision. It marks the sixth of eight meetings between the two clubs this season. Charlotte has taken three of the previous five. Iowa remains in Charlotte for a second game on Thursday. This is the Wild’s last trip to the Queen City this season. The Checkers come to Des Moines for two games in March. The matchup features the 14th and 15th ranked teams in the AHL’s Western Conference. After AHL division realignment this past summer the two teams find themselves in the West Division. Iowa and Charlotte played four times in 2013-14. Charlotte is 5-4-0-0 in the all-time series, including a 2-3-0-0 record at home. Iowa is 4-5-0-0 all time, including a 3-2-0-0 mark at Charlotte.
Iowa is 9-17-1-1 on the road this season, having been outscored 97-68 by the home teams. The 97 road-goals allowed is among the most in the AHL. The Wild is mired in a six-game losing skid after falling 4-1 at Charlotte on Wednesday. Iowa is 2-8-0-0 over the last ten games, while Charlotte is 3-6-1-0. Charlotte is 13-11-1-1 at home, outscoring the visitors 55-54 at Time Warner Cable Arena. The team has wins in three of the last four outings after a stretch of four straight losses. Charlotte is coming off the 4-1 win on Wednesday at home versus Iowa.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
at Charlotte 2/19 6:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Milwaukee 2/21 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Grand Rapids 2/24 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Lake Erie 2/27 6:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Lake Erie 2/28 6:00 PM CT KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
2.12.15 – Add – D Collin Bowman (signed PTO – from Colorado – ECHL)
2.12.15 – Add – D Christian Folin (assigned by Minnesota – NHL)
2.17.15 – Add – F Ian Schultz (signed PTO – from Allen ECHL)
2.18.15 – Delete – F Michael Keranen (recalled by Minnesota – NHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Charlotte Checkers 4-1 in front of 3,892 fans on Wednesday night at Time Warner Cable Arena. Forwards Brock McGinn and Chad Larose each scored a pair of goals as the Checkers picked up their third win over the last four games. Charlotte goalie Drew MacIntyre made 35 saves on 36 shots, handing Iowa its sixth straight defeat. Iowa goalie John Curry was pulled early in the third period, stopping 17 of 21 in the defeat. Defenseman Danny Syvret scored the Wild’s lone goal.
Iowa Wild
Through 54 games this season, forwards Michael Keranen and Tyler Graovac are the team’s leading scorers. Graovac leads the team in goals with 16 tallies and is first with 34 points in 51 games. Recalled on Tuesday, Keranen was second on the team in scoring with 32 points and is first with 23 assists in 52 games. Recalled to Minnesota, forward Jordan Schroeder was third on the club in points with 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points in 35 games played. Right wing Marc Hagel is second among active skaters with a career-high 25 points in 45 games played. Rookie Zack Mitchell is fourth among active skaters with 14 goals and 23 points in 54 games played. Defenseman Jon Blum is the leader in points from the blueline. He has eight goals and 23 points in 44 games played. Veteran center Brett Sutter is also among the team leaders with 19 points in 50 games played.
Goalies Johan Gustafsson, John Curry and Josh Harding (injured) man the Iowa Wild crease. Harding is 0-1-1 with a 3.37 GAA and a .920 SV%. John Curry is 8-14-0 with a 2.91 GAA and a 0.911 SV%. Gustafsson is 7-17-0 with a 3.34 GAA and a .896 SV %.
Iowa’s power play is ranked 20th at 15.7%, while the penalty kill sits 30th at 77.2%.
Notables –
· Among all rookies, Iowa forward Kurtis Gabriel is tied for first with 12 major penalties and is second in PIMs with 102.
· Iowa left wing Zack Mitchell has tied Erik Haula’s team mark for most goals by a rookie (14).
· Checkers goalie Drew MacIntyre is tied for second in the AHL with 975 saves.
Charlotte Checkers
In the first 51 games this season, forward Chad LaRose leads the team in scoring with 29 points. The veteran winger has 16 goals and 13 assists in 50 games played. Center Justin Shugg is second on the club in goals and points. He has 13 tallies and 23 points in 40 games played. Left wing Brendan Woods is also among team leaders in points with 19 in 43 games played off eight goals and 11 assists. He is also third on the team with 78 minutes in penalties. Phil Di Giuseppe (16 points) and Alex Aleardi (15 points) are also among the team scoring leaders. Veteran forward Greg Nemiz has eight goals in 21 games played. Offensive minded defenseman Ryan Murphy is in Carolina with the Hurricanes. He had 17 assists in 25 games prior to his recall.
Playing in 35 games this year, goalie Drew MacIntyre (14-17-4) is posting a 2.65 GAA and a 0.917 SV%. Goalie John Muse (5-9-2) is posting a 2.69 GAA and a 0.918 SV% in 19 games played.
Charlotte's power play is ranked 30th in the AHL at 10.6%, while its penalty kill is 13th at 84.8%.