GAME PREVIEW – IOWA WILD VS ROCKFORD ICEHOGS 12.28.17

Dec 28, 2017

Iowa Wild (14-9-6-2; 36 pts.) vs. Rockford IceHogs (17-11-1-1; 36 pts.)

Iowa Wild returns from its holiday break with a crucial home game against Central Division rivals, Rockford IceHogs. It will be the seventh meeting between the two clubs in 2017, with the Wild holding a 3-2-1 record against the IceHogs and a 1-0-1 record at home.

Last Game

The Wild fell to Grand Rapids Griffins 3-2 in the shootout on Friday, Dec. 22 in the team’s final game before the holiday break. Winger Sam Anas extended his point streak to nine games (setting a new franchise record) when he scored the opening goal. Anas scored in his sixth straight game, tying a Wild record for longest goal streak in franchise history. Forward Justin Kloos registered his fourth multi-point night with an assist on Anas’ goal and scoring a goal of his own, while forward Gerry Mayhew recorded his first multi-assist and multi-point night of the 2017-18 season.

WILD Notables

• Forward Zach Parise is expected to skate with the Wild on a conditioning stint, marking his first AHL game since the 2004-05 season.
• Winger Sam Anas set a franchise record against Grand Rapids when he recorded a point in his ninth consecutive game.
• Defenseman Ryan Murphy has six points (1g, 5a) in five games against Rockford this season.
• Goaltender Steve Michalek returns to Iowa after spending five games with Minnesota.

ROCKFORD Notables

• Rockford defeated Grand Rapids 3-2 in the shootout on Saturday, Dec. 23 after the Griffins scored the tying goal at 19:58 in the third period.
• Rockford sits in second place in the Central Division, just .019 points percentage ahead of Iowa.  
• Chicago recalled forward David Kampf and goaltender Jeff Glass from Rockford. Rockford recalled goaltender Matt Tomkins from Indy Fuel in a corresponding move.
• Forward Tomas Jurco paces the IceHogs with 21 points (10g, 11a) in 29 games played.

Upcoming Games:

Opponent                        Date          Time                Broadcast

at Rockford                      12/29     7:00 PM CT     KXNO / iHeartRadio

vs. Chicago                       1/1      12:00 PM CT    KXNO / iHeartRadio

at Milwaukee                     1/5        7:00 PM CT    KXNO / iHeartRadio

vs. Manitoba                     1/6        7:00 PM CT     KXNO / iHeartRadio

vs. Cleveland                    1/7        5:00 PM CT     KXNO / iHeartRadio

The Iowa Wild 2017-18 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center and runs from October through April. For more information, please contact the Wild office by calling 515-564-8700 or by visiting www.iowawild.com.