After starting the season strong with a 3-0-1-0 record, the Chicago Wolves suffered their first regulation loss and first string of consecutive losses this weekend against Milwaukee (3-2 OT) and Rockford (4-3) to push their overall mark to 3-1-2-0 and 2-1-1-0 in the Midwest Division; a strong intra-division record (26-11-2-5) last season helped the Wolves claim the Midwest title and they will look to bounce back and gain ground with their first “three-in-three” starting on Friday, continuing a string of eight consecutive games against division rivals.
THIS WEEK:
Fri., Oct. 31*
at Grand Rapids Griffins
Van Andel Arena
6 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 1*
vs. Milwaukee Admirals#
Allstate Arena
7 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 2*
at Milwaukee Admirals#
Bradley Center
3 p.m.
*U-Too
#Amtrak Rivalry Game
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
BUMP IN THE ROAD
After starting the season strong with a 3-0-1-0 record, the Chicago Wolves suffered their first regulation loss and first string of consecutive losses this weekend against Milwaukee (3-2 OT) and Rockford (4-3) to push their overall mark to 3-1-2-0 and 2-1-1-0 in the Midwest Division; a strong intra-division record (26-11-2-5) last season helped the Wolves claim the Midwest title and they will look to bounce back and gain ground with their first “three-in-three” starting on Friday, continuing a string of eight consecutive games against division rivals.
WOLVES HEADLINERS
— Rob Bordson: Collected assists in both contests last weekend to give him five points (2G, 3A) in six games, tied for the team lead … Currently on a four-game point streak (Oct. 17-present), an AHL career-high … Had set his previous AHL career-high point streak (three games) five times, including twice in a seven-game span last season … Joined the Wolves over the summer for his fifth season of professional hockey … Has accrued 86 points (35G, 51A) in 265 AHL tilts with Syracuse (2010-11), Rochester (2011-12), Adirondack (2010-14), and Chicago (2014-present) … Spent the three seasons prior at the University of Minnesota–Duluth (NCAA)
— Sebastian Wannstrom: Posted an assist against Milwaukee on Friday and a game-tying goal against Rockford on Saturday … Enjoying an AHL career-high three-game point streak (Oct. 18-present) … Has collected three points (G, 2A) in four games since starting the season with back-to-back scratches … Set AHL career-highs last season in goals (5), assists (5), and points (10) in 37 games during his first full season in North America … Has compiled 16 points (7G, 9A) in 57 AHL contests spanning parts of three seasons with Peoria (2012-13) and Chicago (2013-present)
— Philip McRae: Returned to action Saturday after being scratched for two consecutive games, tallying his first goal of the season and in a Wolves uniform … Prior to this weekend, his last point in the AHL was a Feb. 5, 2013, marker against the Wolves … Added a +1 plus/minus rating Saturday, his first positive mark of the season … Split last season between Tampara and Espoo in the SM-liiga, totaling 21 points (8G, 13A) in 53 games … Has accumulated 84 points (43G, 41A) in 166 career AHL games spanning four seasons with Peoria (2010-13) and Chicago (2014-present)
— Ty Rattie: Extended his point streak to four games with a goal on Friday before seeing it snapped in a scoreless effort Saturday, one game shy of his AHL career-high … Tied for the team lead with five points (3G, 2A) in six games … Appeared in two games with St. Louis last season, including his NHL debut April 11 at Dallas, and was held scoreless … Led last season’s team with 48 points, becoming the first Wolves rookie to achieve that feat, and tied for the lead among league rookies with 31 goals
WOLF TRACKS
— The Wolves have claimed 8 of a possible 12 points on the season, putting them ahead of where they were in 2013-14; last season it took Chicago 10 games and five weekends to accrue that amount.
— Continuing a trend from last season, the Wolves appear to be a second-period team when it comes to scoring, having potted nine of their 19 total tallies in the middle frame; the team collected 40 percent (92 of 228) of their regulation goals in the second period last season.
— Despite nearly doubling opponents’ chances in overtime (9-4), the Wolves have dropped both games that have extended into the extra session; of the two tilts, one has made it to the league’s new 3-on-3 overtime format.
— Chicago continues to lead the league in shots allowed, despite giving up a season-high 29 in the loss to Rockford on Saturday; the Wolves’ 20.17 shots allowed per game (121 over six games) sits 1.58 below second-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (21.75).
— Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa was loaned from St. Louis (NHL) on Friday night after being cleared to play by doctors following a thumb injury suffered at September’s Traverse City prospects tournament; the blueliner posted eight points (4G, 4A) in 54 games with the Wolves last season.
WOLVES REWIND (0-1-1-0)
Saturday, Oct. 25
(at) Rockford 4, Chicago 3
— A back-and-forth game ended with the Wolves’ first regulation loss as they dropped a 4-3 Illinois Lottery Cup decision to Rockford at the MetroCentre
— Forwards Philip McRae and Sebastian Wannstrom potted their opening markers of the season and center Colin Fraser rounded out scoring
— Goaltender Jordan Binnington made 25 saves on a season-high 29 shots allowed
Friday, Oct. 24
Milwaukee 3, (at) Chicago 2 (OT)
— The Wolves rallied after surrendering the opening goal for the first time this season, but fell 3-2 to Milwaukee with 29 seconds remaining in overtime in the Amtrak Rivalry opener at Allstate Arena
— Forwards Ty Rattie and Jeremy Welsh scored for the Wolves
— Goaltender Matt Climie stopped 18 of 21 shots through regulation and overtime
