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Wolves Roundup: Nov. 7-13, 2016

Welcome to Wolves Roundup, a weekly report of highlights, notes and transactions from the Chicago Wolves’ previous week of competition during the 2016-17 season.

ON DECK

Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Milwaukee^ UWM Panther Arena 10:30 a.m. CT
Friday, Nov. 11 at Cleveland* Quicken Loans Arena 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, Nov. 12 at Cleveland# Quicken Loans Arena 6 p.m. CT
Friday, Nov. 18 at Iowa* Wells Fargo Arena 7 p.m. CT
Saturday, Nov. 19 vs. Iowa# Allstate Arena 7 p.m. CT

^ AHL Live only, * U Too, # CW50

Games will be telecast live on CW50 or  U Too; visit ChicagoWolves.com for a complete broadcast schedule; all games stream live on AHLLive.com

TOP LINE

Samuel Blais
The 20-year-old rookie continued to tally points this weekend, including his first professional goal on Saturday, Nov. 5, in the 4-2 Wolves win over their Great Lake rival, the Grand Rapids Griffins. The left wing is on a three-game point streak, which began on Oct. 30 in the 4-2 victory over the defending Calder Cup champion Cleveland Monsters. The only rookie to appear all 10 games this season for the Wolves, Blais has logged significant ice time playing on a line with fellow wing Magnus Paajarvi and centerman Wade Megan. The trio have started four of the last five games and accounted for 9 points (4G, 5A) in those contests.

Ivan Barbashev
The Wolves’ leading goal-scorer (5) over 10 games, the second-year professional notched two of those markers in Saturday’s 4-2 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins in the team’s first win against their Great Lake rival this season. Barbashev’s first tally of the game came at the 16:40 mark of the first period when Jordan Caron shielded the puck from a Griffins defender behind the Grand Rapids net and dished a pass to Barbashev waiting at the top of the crease for a one-timer. His second goal happened during the third period at 12:20 when Caron and Danny Kristo set up Barbashev for a wrist shot from mid-left circle for the 3-2 go-ahead marker. The shot was so hot the puck got lodged in the goal netting. After three minutes of the officials attempting to dislodge the puck, the Grand Rapids ice crew cut the puck free and patched the net. The 20-year-old earned first-star status for his performance.

Jordan Caron
The 25-year-old wing’s contribution to the weekend’s scoresheets included 2 assists in the 4-2 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday night at Van Andel Arena. However, Caron was all over the ice, initiating plays and logging time on special-teams units. The Sayabec, Quebec, native factored on both of Ivan Barbashev’s markers in Saturday’s contest. He also helped generate scoring chances and blocked shots throughout both Friday’s and Saturdays’ Central Division contests. In Saturday’s victory, Caron had a number of scoring chances, including a point-blank shot in the slot that he set up himself, in an attempt for the go-ahead tally.

WOLF TRACKS

More Milestones | Over the weekend a number of Wolves players and staff reached professional milestones. Leading the charge, head coach Craig Berube appeared in his 950th professional regular-season game behind the bench at both the NHL and AHL levels and as both a head and assistant coach. Returning to action for the first time since Oct. 19, defenseman Petteri Lindbohm skated in his 100th AHL game on Friday, Nov. 4, and center Wade Megan dressed for his 200th AHL game on Saturday, Nov. 5. Kenny Agostino skated in his 150th AHL game on Sunday, Oct. 30, in the 4-2 win over the Cleveland Monsters. On deck, left wing Magnus Paajarvi’s next game will be his 400th North American professional game and, with 2 assists on Sunday, Jordan Caron is two shy of 150 professional points.

Skates on a Train | Fans can see Chicago Wolves mascot Skates, along with wings Jordan Caron and Brett Sterling, on Metra locomotive 136 traveling throughout the Chicago metro-area on the Union Pacific Railroad lines. The Wolves-branded engine will be in service for the rest of the Wolves’ regular season.

Home of the Brave, Land of the Free | Chicago Wolves will host their third Salute to Military Families Night, presented by the Illinois Lottery Veterans Cash Ticket, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19. The evening honors current and former servicemen and women and their families for selfless dedication to their country. This season, several local businesses bought tickets for veterans and their families to attend the Nov. 19 contest between the Chicago Wolves and the Iowa Wild. For more information or to see how your business can get involved, visit ChicagoWolves.com.

Hungry Like the Wolves | Bring your appetite as the Chicago Wolves trade in their skates for aprons during the team’s annual Get Fed by the Wolves fundraiser from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, at Adobe Gila’s in Rosemont. Relax and enjoy the afternoon as players and coaches serve up delicious food to support Chicago Wolves Charities. The event includes a raffle and auctions with great prizes and chances to win players’ and coaches’ event-worn t-shirts. Last year’s event raised more than $16,500 for Chicago Wolves Charities. For more information or to purchase event tickets, visit ChicagoWolves.com.

REWIND

Saturday, Nov. 5
Chicago 4, (at) Grand Rapids 2

  • Chicago closed out the weekend clipping its Lake Michigan rival, the Grand Rapids Griffins, in the squads’ third of 10 meetings this season.
  • Center Ivan Barbashev registered 2 goals and now leads the team with 5 goals, while rookie wing Samuel Blais recorded his first professional tally.
  • Former Griffin Landon Ferraro recorded an empty-net marker for the 4-2 final score.
  • Goaltender Jordan Binnington turned aside 34 shots and made key saves early in the third period for the victory.

Friday, Nov. 4
(at) Milwaukee 3, Chicago 2 (SO)

  • Chicago dropped the opening game of its first six-game road trip to the Milwaukee Admirals in Amtrak Rivalry action.
  • Centers Landon Ferraro and Justin Selman netted goals for the Wolves.
  • Wing Magnus Paajarvi was the lone Wolves scorer in the shootout and two Milwaukee skaters tallied for the victory.
  • Goaltender Pheonix Copley turned aside 29 shots during regulation and overtime in his third start of the season.