The Chicago Wolves sputtered on offense last week as they were held to five goals in four games and collected three of a possible eight points, suffering 3-0 shutouts on both Tuesday in Adirondack and Sunday versus Rockford; the squad will look to turn it around and avenge the losses with three Midwest Division matchups this week, including a home-and-home against division-leading Rockford, but will have to do so against two of the stingiest teams in the league with the IceHogs’ 2.06 goals-against average (tied for 1st in the AHL) and the Milwaukee Admirals’ 2.16 (3rd).
THIS WEEK:
Wed., Nov. 26*
at Milwaukee Admirals#
Bradley Center
7 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 28*
at Rockford IceHogs$
MetroCentre
7 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 29*
vs. Rockford IceHogs$
Allstate Arena
7 p.m.
*U-Too
#Amtrak Rivalry Game
$Illinois Lottery Cup 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
SHAKE IT OFF
The Chicago Wolves sputtered on offense last week as they were held to five goals in four games and collected three of a possible eight points, suffering 3-0 shutouts on both Tuesday in Adirondack and Sunday versus Rockford; the squad will look to turn it around and avenge the losses with three Midwest Division matchups this week, including a home-and-home against division-leading Rockford, but will have to do so against two of the stingiest teams in the league with the IceHogs’ 2.06 goals-against average (tied for 1st in the AHL) and the Milwaukee Admirals’ 2.16 (3rd).
WOLVES HEADLINERS
— Philip McRae: Registered three points (G, 2A) last week, including a multiple-point game and the game-winning tally in Saturday’s come-from-behind win over Iowa … Is tied with scoring leader Pat Cannone for the most multiple-point outings on the team, collecting four since Oct. 31 … Sits tied for second on the Wolves in goals (5), third in plus/minus rating (+7), and fourth in points (11) … 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)
— Benn Ferriero: Posted his first goal in a Wolves uniform Saturday, beginning the rally that led to a win … The goal was his second point in as many games after dishing out an assist in Friday’s overtime loss … Has four points (G, 3A) in nine games since rejoining the lineup Nov. 8 following his recovery from spring shoulder surgery … Has accrued 176 points (72G, 104A) in 241 career AHL contests with Worcester, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Connecticut, Utica, and Chicago over a six-year professional career … Contributed 23 points (14G, 9A) in 98 NHL games with San Jose, the New York Rangers, and Vancouver
— Jordan Binnington: Saw his professional-best five-game winning streak snapped Tuesday in Adirondack, but rebounded to earn the win Saturday … Has not allowed an even-strength goal in his last 121 minutes, 1 second between the pipes … Holds a 6-2-1 record this season with a 1.89 goals-against average and .925 save percentage, ranking third in the league for GAA and first among rookies … Ranks among the top five rookie netminders in GAA (1st), save percentage (4th), wins (3rd), and minutes (5th) … Has accrued a career AHL record of 7-3-1, a 2.35 goals-against average, and .914 save percentage in 11 games since making his pro debut in 2011-12 with Peoria
— Brent Regner: Scored the equalizer in Milwaukee on Friday to take over the points lead among active team defensemen … Has contributed eight points (2G, 6A) in 19 games … His +8 plus/minus rating sits second on the team behind defensive partner Mathieu Brodeur … Has donned the captain’s ‘C’ since the beginning of the season … Ranks second among Wolves defensemen with 26 shots, behind rookie Petteri Lindbohm (41) … Was one of Chicago’s most consistent blueliners last season and has posted 33 points (5G, 28A) in 89 regular-season games for the team since arriving via trade in April 2013
WOLF TRACKS
— With his 362nd AHL win on Saturday versus Iowa, Wolves head coach JOHN ANDERSON moved into a tie for fifth place among the league’s all-time winningest bench bosses; he needs one more victory to take sole possession of the spot over Terry Reardon, but is still more than 150 wins behind fourth-place Roy Sommer, the only active coach ahead of him (Worcester).
— The Wolves played their second three-in-three of 2014-15 last week, dropping more than one game in the grueling stretches for the first time since April 19-21, 2013; after Dec. 20-22’s series, Chicago does not play another three-in-three until March when it closes out the season with them in all but one of the final four weeks.
— Chicago allowed multiple power-play goals (0 for 2) for the first time this season and first time since April 12, 2014, on Saturday when Iowa opened up a two-goal lead on the man-advantage; it was also the first time the Wolves have not killed off any penalties in a game since Nov. 23, 2013 against Grand Rapids (0 for 1).
— The Wolves have allowed the opening goal in four consecutive games and six of their last 10; the team is 7-1-1-0 when scoring first, but has only achieved that in nine of 19 games this season.
— The Midwest Division continues to remain tight, with the top three teams (Rockford, Chicago, and Milwaukee) all posting winning percentages of more than .650; the trio has a perfect combined record against division-mates Grand Rapids and Lake Erie (10-0-0-0) and holds an overall combined record of 26-5-1-2 (.809) when not playing each other.
WOLVES REWIND (1-2-1-0)
Sunday, Nov. 23
Rockford 3, (at) Chicago 0
— The Wolves could not convert early power-play chances and Rockford took advantage of defensive miscues to capture Sunday’s Illinois Lottery Cup matchup at Allstate Arena
— Chicago was stymied by IceHogs goaltender Mac Carruth, who earned his first AHL shutout with 23 saves
— Goaltender Matt Climie stopped 23 shots in the loss
Saturday, Nov. 22
(at) Chicago 3, Iowa 2
— The Wolves surrendered two early power-play goals to Iowa, but rallied to tally the game-winning goal with less than four minutes remaining in regulation at Allstate Arena
— Forward Benn Ferriero notched his first goal in a Wolves uniform, right wing Ty Rattie scored the equalizer, and center Philip McRae won it late for the Wolves
— Goaltender Jordan Binnington continued the impressive start to his rookie season, earning the win with 26 saves
Friday, Nov. 21
(at) Milwaukee 3, Chicago 2 (OT)
— Defensemen Petteri Lindbohm and Brent Regner scored third-period goals to force overtime in Amtrak Rivalry play at the Bradley Center
— LINDBOHM’S power-play goal at 8:16 of the third period ended a 129-minute, 29-second scoreless drought for the Wolves
— Goaltender Matt Climie stopped 19 of 22 shots in regulation and overtime while taking the loss
Tuesday, Nov. 18
(at) Adirondack 3, Chicago 0
— The Wolves were shut out for the first time this season and first time on the road since 2012-13 as they fell in their inaugural meeting with the Flames at Glens Falls Civic Center
— Chicago’s offense was shut down by goaltender Joni Ortio, who kicked out all 28 shots the Wolves fired on nt
— Goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 15 of 17 shots and had his professional-best winning streak snapped at five
