The Chicago Wolves close out 2014 tonight with a tilt against Midwest Division rival Grand Rapids. The Wolves defeated the Griffins and Milwaukee Admirals last week to stretch their winning streak to three games before being upended in Rockford on Sunday. Chicago looks to remain unbeaten against Grand Rapids this season (3-0-0-0) and close out the year with a win. The team has played in 85 contests so far in 2014, including the second half of the 2013-14 season (28-9-4-3), the 2014 Calder Cup Playoffs (3-6), and the first half of the 2014-15 season (17-12-3-0) for a .624 points percentage. The Wolves ring in the New Year with back-to-back home matchups on Friday and Saturday as they host Hamilton for the lone time this season and then face Rockford in the first of five January contests between the squads.
THIS WEEK:
Tue., Dec. 30*
vs. Grand Rapids Griffins
Allstate Arena
7 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 2*
vs. Hamilton Bulldogs
Allstate Arena
7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 3*
vs. Rockford IceHogs$
Allstate Arena
7 p.m.
$Illinois Lottery Cup Game
*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
WAVING GOODBYE TO 2014
The Chicago Wolves close out 2014 tonight with a tilt against Midwest Division rival Grand Rapids. The Wolves defeated the Griffins and Milwaukee Admirals last week to stretch their winning streak to three games before being upended in Rockford on Sunday. Chicago looks to remain unbeaten against Grand Rapids this season (3-0-0-0) and close out the year with a win. The team has played in 85 contests so far in 2014, including the second half of the 2013-14 season (28-9-4-3), the 2014 Calder Cup Playoffs (3-6), and the first half of the 2014-15 season (17-12-3-0) for a .624 points percentage. The Wolves ring in the New Year with back-to-back home matchups on Friday and Saturday as they host Hamilton for the lone time this season and then face Rockford in the first of five January contests between the squads.
WOLVES HEADLINERS
— Philip McRae: Recorded four points in three games last week as he posted back-to-back two-point outings on Dec. 22 and 26 … Is the team’s top point producer in December with eight points (5G, 3A) in 10 games … Ranks second on the team (tied with fellow center Pat Cannone) with 20 points (10G, 10A) in 29 tilts … Tied with points leader Ty Rattie for highest points-per-game pace (0.69) on the team … Has surpassed his point total from his most-recent AHL stint, when he collected 18 points (7G, 11A) in 45 games with Peoria in 2012-13
— Jeremy Welsh: Posted four points last week as he potted three goals and added an assist … Has collected seven points (3G, 4A) in his last seven games after suffering a 21-game goalless drought and a 10-game points drought … Has three multi-point outings in December … Ranks fourth on the Wolves in goals (8) and shares fourth place in points (18) … Has exceeded his AHL point total from last season, when he contributed 15 (7G, 8A) in 49 games for Utica … Appeared in 19 games for Vancouver (NHL) in 2013-14, recording one goal
— Mathieu Brodeur: Has garnered six points (2G, 4A) in 10 games this month, including three last week, after posting five in his first 22 games this season … Is currently in the midst of an AHL career-high-tying three-game point streak … Was on the ice for six of the Wolves’ 13 goals last week … Tied for most goals among Wolves defensemen (4) and is third in defensive scoring (11) … Half of the Wolves’ top defensive pairing this season with captain Brent Regner … Holds the best plus/minus rating on the team (+12) … One point away from tying his output last season
— Ty Rattie: Picked up one goal and one assist last week to extend his season-high point streak to four games before having it snapped on Sunday … His lone goal, a no-look backhander against Milwaukee, was selected as the No. 1 highlight on ESPN’S SportsCenter Top 10 for Dec. 26 … The goal also broke his season-high four-game goalless drought … Has seven points (2G, 5A) in his last seven games and ranks first on the Wolves in goals (15) and points (22) … Sits third in the league in goals and is tied for second in shots (105)
— Jordan Binnington: Picked up two wins to extend his streak to three before allowing four goals in 23:05 of action on Sunday and being relieved by Matt Climie … The loss was his first since Dec. 17 and the rookie looks to be taking over the reins of the starting job as he has gotten the nod the last four games … Holds a 10-5-1 record in 16 appearances with a 2.28 goals-against average and .912 save percentage … Ranks 13th in league GAA and fourth among rookies … Has yet to suffer two regulation losses in a row this season and holds a 2-1-0-0 record, 1.34 GAA, and .938 SV% in games following four-goal outings
WOLF TRACKS
— Left wing Magnus Paajarvi cleared waivers and was loaned to the Wolves from St. Louis (NHL) Tuesday morning. The 10th overall draft pick in 2009 (Edmonton) has 71 points (32G, 39A) in 228 career NHL games with the Oilers (2010-13) and Blues (2013-present).
— Defenseman Joe Sova made his season and Wolves debut last week, suiting up for the games on both Dec. 26 and 28. It was a busy three days for the blueliner, who returned to Kalamazoo Wings on the team’s off day on Saturday for the ECHL’s first outdoor game.
— Defenseman Petteri Lindbohm was returned to the Wolves on loan from St. Louis (NHL) on Monday, his fifth stint with the big club this season. The rookie has three points in his last four games for Chicago.
— The Wolves will recognize defenseman Brent Sopel with a pregame ceremony on Saturday in honor of playing in his 1,000th professional game earlier this season (Dec. 3 at Lake Erie). He has suited up in the NHL, AHL, IHL, and KHL since making his pro debut in 1995-96.
— Prior to Sunday’s loss in Rockford, the Wolves had killed off 28 consecutive penalties on the road. The streak dated back to Nov. 21 at Milwaukee. Chicago’s PK ranks 16th in the league at 83.0 percent (93-for-112) but is fourth-best on the road at 88.6 percent (62-for-70).
— Sunday’s goalie switch was the first time in 112 regular-season games that the Wolves have made an in-game goaltending change, dating back to April 12, 2013. JOHN ANDERSON made none during the 2013-14 regular season.
— The Wolves’ struggles when trailing continued last week as their lone loss came after surrendering the first goal. The team is 12-2-1-0 when scoring first but 3-7-2-0 when trailing after one and 0-11-1-0 when trailing after two.
— Despite ranking third in the league in shots allowed per game with a 26.13 average, the Wolves hold just an 8-8-3-0 record when outshooting opponents and a 9-4-0-0 record when being outshot. The team’s last four wins and five of their last six have come with a shot deficit. Eight (of nine) of their wins when being outshot have come on the road while six (of eight) of their wins when outshooting their opponent have come at home.
— Chicago, Hamilton, Texas, and Utica remain as the lone four teams in the AHL to have not gone to a shootout this season. Every club in the Eastern Conference has participated in at least one.
HITTING THE LANES
The Chicago Wolves host their second Bowl for a Goal event on Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 at Kings Rosemont in MB Financial Park. Fans will get to mingle and enjoy two hours of bowling with players, including Ty Rattie, Jordan Binnington, Jani Hakanpaa, and more, along with sampling food, bidding on exclusive auction items, and winning raffle prizes. Proceeds benefit Chicago Wolves Charities. For more information, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit ChicagoWolves.com.
WOLVES REWIND (2-1-0-0)
Sun., Dec. 28
(at) Rockford 4, Chicago 2
— The Wolves allowed four goals in the opening 23:05, including three in the span of 2:12 early in the second period, and were unable to catch up in an Illinois Lottery Cup tilt at the MetroCentre
— Center Colin Fraser and defenseman Mathieu Brodeur scored in the third period for the Wolves as their comeback attempt fell short
— Goaltender Jordan Binnington kicked out 11 of 15 shots before being relieved by Matt Climie, who stopped all 18 shots he faced, in the second period
Fri., Dec. 26
Chicago 6, (at) Milwaukee 2
— The Wolves stacked up four goals in the second period on their way to the Amtrak Rivalry victory at the Bradley Center
— Jeremy Welsh, Philip McRae, and Brent Regner all posted one goal and one assists apiece while Shane Harper, Ty Rattie, and Cody Beach rounded out scoring
— Goaltender Jordan Binnington made 24 saves for the win
Mon., Dec. 22
(at) Chicago 5, Grand Rapids 3
— The Wolves reeled off three goals in the opening 15 minutes, then broke a tie with two goals in the final 6:31 to earn the win at Allstate Arena
— Forward Jeremy Welsh scored twice, including the winner, while John McCarthy, Shane Harper, and Philip McRae added goals
— Goaltender Jordan Binnington posted 19 saves on 22 shots
