The Chicago Wolves embarked on their first “three-in-three” of the season last week, collecting wins on Friday (6-5 OT in Grand Rapids) and Saturday (5-1 vs. Milwaukee) before getting tripped up on Sunday (4-1 in Milwaukee); Sunday’s contest marked the first game of the team’s annual circus road trip, nicknamed for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey act that takes over Allstate Arena each November, which runs for nine games (tying a franchise record) and 20 days this season.
THIS WEEK:
Wed., Nov. 5
at Grand Rapids Griffins
Van Andel Arena
10 a.m.
Sat., Nov. 8*
at Iowa Wild
Wells Fargo Arena
7 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 9*
at Iowa Wild
Wells Fargo Arena
3 p.m.
*U-Too
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
TWO OUT OF THREE AIN’T BAD
The Chicago Wolves embarked on their first “three-in-three” of the season last week, collecting wins on Friday (6-5 OT in Grand Rapids) and Saturday (5-1 vs. Milwaukee) before getting tripped up on Sunday (4-1 in Milwaukee); Sunday’s contest marked the first game of the team’s annual circus road trip, nicknamed for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey act that takes over Allstate Arena each November, which runs for nine games (tying a franchise record) and 20 days this season.
WOLVES HEADLINERS
— Jeremy Welsh: Contributed four points (3G, A) last week, including an AHL career-high three-point outing (2G, A) against Milwaukee on Saturday … Leads the Wolves with eight points (5G, 3A) in nine games … Was held scoreless in his first 17 AHL contests last season and required 38 games to hit the eight-point plateau … Finished 2013-14 with 15 points (7G, 8A) in 49 games with Utica (AHL) and one goal in 19 games with Vancouver (NHL) … Has accrued two points (G, A) and 10 penalty minutes in 25 career NHL games with Vancouver and Carolina (2011-13) and 49 points (26G, 23A) in 127 AHL games with Chicago, Utica, and Charlotte (2012-13)
— Jordan Binnington: Earned his first win of the season against Milwaukee on Saturday, stopping 18 of 19 … Improved his season record to 1-1-1 with a 2.33 goals-against average and .891 save percentage … Is in his first full AHL and second full professional season … Has accumulated a 2-2-1 record, 2.56 goals-against average, and .904 save percentage in five AHL contests with Chicago and Peoria (2011-12) … Posted a 23-13-3 record, 2.35 goals-against average, and .922 save percentage with Kalamazoo (ECHL) last year
— Sebastian Wannstrom: Garnered four points (G, 3A) last week and posted back-to-back multiple-point games on Friday (G, A) and Saturday (2A) … Has contributed points in five of seven games this season and has three multiple-point efforts in his last eight, dating back to the 2013-14 regular-season finale … Saw his AHL career-high five-game point streak snapped Sunday when he was held off the scoresheet … Has registered 20 points (8G, 12A) in 60 AHL games spanning parts of three seasons with Chicago and Peoria (2012-13)
— Jake Chelios: Put up points in both appearances last week for three points in two games, bringing his season total to four points (4A) in four games … Recorded his first multiple-point AHL game with two primary assists Saturday while his Hall-of-Fame father, Chris, watched from the stands … Dropped the gloves with Jonathan Diaby on Sunday for his first pro fight … Collected one assist in four games with the Wolves last season at the conclusion of his collegiate career at Michigan State University
WOLF TRACKS
— The Wolves’ perfect record this season of holding opponents below 30 shots per game came to an end on Sunday as Milwaukee fired 32 on goaltender Matt Climie; the eight-game stretch is tied for the franchise record for most contests allowing fewer than 30 shots, pulling even with last season’s squad (Nov. 23 to Dec. 13, 2013) and the 1997-98 Turner Cup-winning team (Feb. 18 to March 14, 1998).
— Chicago will play five more three-in-three stretches this season (Nov. 21-23, Dec. 20-22, March 27-29, April 10-12, April 17-19); the Wolves’ 2013-14 schedule featured six total and the team collected two wins in each of them for a 12-3-2-1 record (.750 points percentage), never losing the third game of the series.
— The Wolves are still searching for their first three-game winning streak of the season, having posted back-to-back victories twice in 2014-15; last year’s squad achieved that feat for the first time on the circus road trip, racking up five consecutive wins from Nov. 7-16.
— Chicago has collected four wins in six home games this season (4-0-2-0); the 2013-14 team needed 11 games to accrue the same amount at Allstate Arena, not hitting the mark until Dec. 8, 2013.
— The Wolves look to improve on an impressive circus trip record this year, having gone 5-1-0-0 during the stretch last season; in the past 10 years, Chicago has posted a 33-21-1-2 mark (.605) in the November tradition, including going 11-4-1-0 (.719) since 2011-12.
WOLVES REWIND (2-1-0-0)
Sunday, Nov. 2
(at) Milwaukee 4, Chicago 1
— After a scoreless first period, Milwaukee took a two-goal lead in the middle frame and did not look back as it claimed the third Amtrak Rivalry game of the season
— Forward Terry Broadhurst recorded the lone goal for the Wolves with 1:03 remaining in the game
— Goaltender Matt Climie stopped 28 of a season-high 31 shots
Saturday, Nov. 1
(at) Chicago 5, Milwaukee 1
— After allowing the game’s first tally, the Wolves answered with two goals in the first to trigger the Amtrak Rivalry win at Allstate Arena
— Forward Jeremy Welsh notched two goals and 1 assist while Petteri Lindbohm, Yannick Veilleux, and Shane Harper added goals
— Goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 18 of 19 shots to earn his first victory of the season
Friday, Oct. 31
Chicago 6, (at) Grand Rapids 5 (OT)
— Grand Rapids took a 3-0 lead in the first period, but the Wolves’ furious rally culminated with Sebastian Wannstrom’S goal 1:56 into overtime
— Center Philip McRae scored a pair of goals while WANNSTROM (G, A), Chris Butler (2A), and Rob Bordson (2A) added two points apiece
— Matt Climie stopped 21 of 26 shots in regulation and overtime
