BIG EVENTS
The Wolves are hosting two special events this weekend that kick off a stretch of six home games in 15 days. The Salute to Military Families Night, presented by Kia and Magellan, will be 7 p.m. Saturday. The Wolves are honoring current and former servicemen and servicewomen — as well as their families — for their unwavering dedication to our country. Star Wars Day caps the weekend at 4 p.m. Sunday. For those who purchased tickets for the special pregame event on Sunday, “Star Wars Rebels” star Taylor Gray will meet Star Wars fans in the Skyline Room. There will also be Jedi training, lightsabers, a costume contest and much more.
EARLY INVESTMENT
The Central Division-leading Chicago Wolves are stockpiling points that may prove beneficial later in the season when teams jockey for playoff berths. The Burgundy and Gold have earned points in nine straight games (including all five road tilts) and in 10 of 11 contests to start the year.
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, Nov. 18^
at Milwaukee Admirals
Bradley Center
Amtrak Rivalry
7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21^
vs. Grand Rapids Griffins
Allstate Arena
Salute to Military Families Night, presented by Kia and Magellan
7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22^
vs. Iowa Wild
Allstate Arena
Star Wars Day
4 p.m.
^The U Too (26.2)
Games will be telecast live on The U Too or WCIU, The U or D2 Channel 7.2
Visit ChicagoWolves.com for broadcast schedule, or to watch or listen to the action live online
WOLVES HEADLINERS
- Pat Cannone: Saw his career-high 10-game point streak come to an end Friday in Winnipeg … CANNONE still leads the Wolves with 14 points (5G, 9A), ranking 11th in AHL scoring … He paces the AHL in plus/minus rating (+11) and stands fourth in shooting percentage (38.5).
- Danny Kristo: Provided a power play tally (his first of the season) in Friday’s loss, giving him three goals in four games … KRISTO has taken a team-high 29 shots and shares team honors with six goals … KRISTO’s 12 points are evenly divided (6G, 6A), showing his versatility as a scorer and a setup man.
- Jeremy Welsh: Was recalled by St. Louis Sunday night … WELSH scored two goals and in Thursday’s 5-3 win at Manitoba, extending his point streak to five games … WELSH was kept off the scoresheet the next night, but did drop the gloves.
- Eriah Hayes: Saw his first action of the season after fracturing three bones in his face during a preseason scrimmage … HAYES recorded an assist and plus-1 rating in his season debut Thursday at Manitoba.
- Ivan Barbashev: Owns points in eight of 11 games, moving into third place on the team’s scoring charts … The first-year center stands sixth in AHL rookie scoring, compiling 11 points (3G, 8A) for a 1.00 points per game average.
- Jordan Schmaltz: First-year defenseman is averaging a point per game over his last four appearances … SCHMALTZ is the team’s second-leading rookie scorer with seven points and has played in all 11 games, helping the Wolves rank in the upper-third (10th) in AHL scoring defense (2.73).
WOLF TRACKS
- Chicago enters this week’s action with the second-best winning percentage (.818) in the AHL. The Wolves have occupied first place in the Central Division standings for the past three weeks.
- Chicago travels to the Bradley Center Wednesday for the first time this season. The Wolves sport a winning road record versus the Admirals the past two seasons in these Amtrak Rivalry games, going 8-3-1-1. Chicago also encounters division rival Grand Rapids for the first time on Saturday.
- The Wolves are one of the AHL’s most disciplined teams, posting the fewest penalty minutes (119) and the second-lowest PIM average (10.82).
- Head Coach JOHN ANDERSON has always been an advocate of high octane offenses, and this year is no exception. The Wolves are generating 3.91 goals per game, ranking fourth in the league in scoring offense.
- ANDERSON reached a milestone with his 750th professional coaching win last week, and is one victory shy of 600 with the Wolves and 400 in the AHL. He’ll become the fifth coach in the AHL’s 80-year history to reach 400 wins.
WOLVES REWIND (1-0-1-0)
Friday, Nov. 13
(at) Manitoba 3, Chicago 2 (OT)
- Chicago lost a third-period lead and fell to Manitoba in overtime to split the two-game road series
- Ty Rattie and Danny Kristo scored their team-leading sixth goals of the season as Chicago struck twice on the power play
- Pheonix Copley stopped 28 shots in the loss
Thursday, Nov. 12
Chicago 5, (at) Manitoba 3
- Jeremy Welsh scored a pair of goals while rookie Ivan Barbashev gave the Wolves the lead for good midway through the third period at MTS Centre as Chicago claimed its sixth win in a row
- Evan Trupp and Petteri Lindbohm scored their first goals of the season while Pat Cannone, ZACH O’BRIEN and Jordan Schmaltz handed out two assists apiece
- Jordan Binnington rejected 31 shots to earn the win