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Wolves Weekly Press Notes for Dec. 30

The Wolves have won five of their last six tilts and have not dropped a regulation contest since Dec. 14; Chicago, which finished the month of December with a 7-3-1-0 mark, enter the new year with a 17-12-1-2 record and a .578 winning percentage.

THIS WEEK:

Fri., Jan. 3*
at Grand Rapids Griffins
Van Andel Arena
6 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 4*
vs. Iowa Wild
Allstate Arena
7 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 5*
vs. Rockford IceHogs$
Allstate Arena
3 p.m

*U-Too
$Illinois Lottery Cup

GAMES WILL BE TELECAST LIVE ON THE U-TOO OR WCIU
Log on to chicagowolves.com for broadcast schedule, or to watch or listen to the action live online

CLOSING OUT IN STYLE

The Wolves have won five of their last six tilts and have not dropped a regulation contest since Dec. 14; Chicago, which finished the month of December with a 7-3-1-0 mark, enter the new year with a 17-12-1-2 record and a .578 winning percentage.

WOLVES HEADLINES

Keith Aucoin: Paced the team with 4 assists and 6 points in three games last week to push his point streak to five games … Collected 3 goals, 5 assists, and 8 points in five games since returning to the lineup after missing nine games from Nov. 24 to Dec. 20 … Holds sixth on Chicago with 14 points (4G, 10A) in 22 matchups this season … Sits one point shy of tying Harry Pidhirny for seventh all-time on the AHL’s scoring register … Tallied 828 points (237G, 591A) in 729 career AHL outings … Appeared in an NHL career-high 41 games with the New York Islanders last year, where he posted an NHL career-best 6 goals and totaled 12 points … Also collected 10 goals, 27 helpers, and 37 points in 34 AHL outings with Toronto

Jake Allen: Backstopped the Wolves to two wins last week, which included his second shutout of the season and 11th of his AHL career on Friday … Has won his last four starts to bump his win total to 14, which shares second in the league … Appeared in 23 of Chicago’s 32 outings this season (14-7-2) and ranks third in the circuit with a 2.17 goals-against average and shares 12th in the AHL with a .922 save percentage … Registered a 9-4-0 mark, 2.46 goals-against average, .905 save percentage, and one shutout in 15 NHL games with St. Louis last year en route to being named to the 2013 NHL All-Rookie Team … Also appeared in 35 AHL contests with the Peoria Rivermen last season, earning a 13-19-2 record, 2.89 goals-against average, and .904 save percentage

Mark Mancari: Dished out 3 assists in three games last week and sits 1 point shy of becoming the 87th player in AHL history to notch 500 points … Has posted 4 goals and 8 points in his last seven outings … Ranks third on Chicago with 8 goals and second with 19 points in 28 games this season … Also ranks second among team forwards with a +7 plus/minus rating and has accrued a plus or even rating in 17 of his last 18 outings … Paced the Rochester Americans with 22 goals, 39 assists, and 61 points last season while appearing in all 76 games … Also ranked first in the AHL with a career-high 279 shots on goal

WOLF TRACKS

— The forward line of Sebastian WannstromChristian HansonCody Beach combined for 7 points (3G, 4A) in three games last week after the trio combined for just 6 points (3G, 3A) in Chicago’s first 29 tilts of the season.

— The Wolves outshot their opponents 221-153 in their past six games, which included outgunning its foes by double digits in four of those games; Chicago has outshot its opponent in 14 of its last 15 games and has surrendered 29 or fewer shots in 12 of those contests.

— Chicago was short-handed just seven times in three games last week, all of which were killed off; the Wolves, who have been short-handed three or fewer times in each of its last five tilts, rank sixth in the AHL with a 85.9 efficiency rating on the penalty kill this season (128 of 149).

— Chicago plays its second consecutive three-in-three set this weekend, with all three games being against Midwest Division foes; the club is 8-5-0-2 against its division this year after posting a 13-22-4-3 mark against the Midwest Division last season.

— The Wolves have scored five power-play goals on 53 chances over their last 12 games after scoring a season-high three man-advantage markers on eight chances on Nov. 29; Chicago has cashed in on 17 of its 152 power-play chances this season.

FIRST PLACE GOES TO…

— The Wolves will wear commemorative “First Responders” jerseys, presented by Chase, available for fans to purchase or win, at home games on Jan. 4, 5, and 17. The one-of-a-kind jerseys will be auctioned and raffled to benefit Chicago Wolves Charities. For more information about the jerseys, visit chicagowolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.

WOLVES REWIND (2-0-1-0)

Sunday, Dec. 29
(at) Chicago 4, Charlotte 3
— The Wolves opened a two-goal lead late in third period and were able to hang on for a 4-3 victory over the Charlotte Checkers at the Allstate Arena
— Four different skaters tallied markers for Chicago, while forwards Keith Aucoin and Cody Beach dished out two assists each
— Goaltender Jake Allen kicked out 33 of 36 shots

Saturday, Dec. 28
(at) Lake Erie 5, Chicago 4 (OT)
— The Wolves surrendered the tying goal with 1:45 left in regulation and then the overtime winner to drop a 5-4 decision to Lake Erie at Quicken Loans Arena
— Center Keith Aucoin bagged two tallies, while forward Sebastian Wannstrom and defenseman Evan Oberg also lit the lamp for Chicago
— Goaltender Matt Climie posted 26 saves in regulation and overtime

Friday, Dec. 27
Chicago 4, (at) Lake Erie 0
— Left wing Sergey Andronov’s hat trick and goaltender Jake Allen’s 19-save shutout propelled the Wolves to a 4-0 win over Lake Erie at Quicken Loans Arena
— Center Corey Locke notched the fourth tally for Chicago