HOME ICE ADVANTAGE
The Wolves head into their holiday break riding a three-game winning streak, the team’s longest since their six-game streak from Oct. 25 to Nov. 12. Chicago is 3-0 during its current homestand — which concludes Saturday night versus Iowa — and 10-4-0-1 at Allstate Arena for the season. That .700 points percentage is second-best in the Central Division.
TAMING THE WILD
Chicago has won both encounters against Iowa this season. The Wolves claimed the series opener, 2-1, on Nov. 22 at Allstate Arena and posted a 5-3 road win on Dec. 8. The teams will meet a total of 12 times before the season is over. Chicago boasts a 15-2-1-2 record against the Wild since Iowa started play in 2013-14.
THIS WEEK
Saturday, Dec. 26^
vs. Iowa Wild
Allstate Arena
The U Too (26.2)
7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 28^
at Milwaukee Admirals
Bradley Center
Amtrak Rivalry
The U Too (26.2)
7 p.m.
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
- Ty Rattie: Scored his first goal in nine games with an empty-netter in Chicago’s 4-1 win over Manitoba Monday night … The Airdrie, Alberta native has been a playmaker of late for the Wolves, dishing out five assists in four games … With points in four straight games, the swift right wing ranks second in team scoring (21 points) despite missing five games.
- Pheonix Copley: Made his fifth consecutive start Monday night, earning No. 3 Star honors with 23 saves against the Moose … COPLEY’s numbers over the last five games: 3-2-0 record, .2.16 goals-against average and .926 save percentage … The third-year pro has spent most of the season splitting time in goal with Jordan Binnington, giving the Wolves one of the top 1-2 tandems in the league.
- Ivan Barbashev: The Russian center extended his points streak to three games by scoring the game-winning goal Monday night … The Wolves’ top rookie scorer owns 16 points (6G, 10A) in 24 games, with five of those points occurring in his last seven games … His points total is good for 12th place among AHL rookies … the youngest player on the Wolves’ squad, BARBASHEV turned 20 years old on Dec. 14.
- Petteri Lindbohm: Returned to the Wolves lineup after appearing in seven games with St. Louis … LINDBOHM made his presence felt against the Manitoba Moose (Dec. 21) with 4 penalty minutes, recording a +1 plus/minus rating in the process.
WOLF TRACKS
- The Wolves are averaging 4.00 goals per game during their three-game win streak. As a result, Chicago ranks fourth in AHL scoring, averaging 3.15 goals per contest. At the same time, the Wolves have moved into the upper third of the league in team defense (10th with a 2.74 goals-against average).
- The Wolves have been jumping on opponents early, scoring first in three straight games. JOHN ANDERSON’s team is 11-2-0-0 (.846) when scoring first.
- The Burgundy and Gold are 8-0-1-1 over the past 10 seasons in their final game before Christmas Day.
- After taking part in five straight one-goal games (going 2-3-0-0), the Wolves enjoyed a three-goal cushion last night in a 4-1 win over Manitoba. It was Chicago’s largest win dating to an 8-2 triumph over the same Moose on Dec. 2.
- The Wolves’ 10 home wins are the third-most in the Central Division. Chicago looks to earn two more points on home ice Saturday before beginning a stretch that has the team playing 10 of 15 away from home. The Wolves have just five home dates slated for January.
WOLVES REWIND (3-0-0-0)
Monday, Dec. 21
(at) Chicago 4, Manitoba 1
- Chicago scored two first-period goals 12 seconds apart en route to the victory over Manitoba at Allstate Arena
- Ivan Barbashev scored the game-winner to earn No. 1 Star honors. Pat Cannone, Jeremy Welsh and Ty Rattie also found the back of the net
- Pheonix Copley recorded 23 saves in making his fifth-straight star
Saturday, Dec. 19
(at) Chicago 4, Rockford 3 (OT)
- ZACH O’BRIEN’s goal with 1:05 left in overtime gave the Wolves the Illinois Lottery Cup victory over the IceHogs at Allstate Arena
- Jordan Caron, Eriah Hayes and Jeremy Welsh produced power-play goals during regulation while Peter Harrold and Chris Butler handed out 2 assists apiece
- Pheonix Copley posted 34 saves in regulation and overtime
Thursday, Dec. 17
(at) Chicago 4, Texas 3 (SO)
- Chicago scored three first-period goals and hung on to defeat Texas in a shootout before a large School-Day crowd at Allstate Arena.
- Jordan Schmaltz scored in the shootout and Pheonix Copley stopped all three shooters to help the Wolves end a nine-game skid against Texas
- COPLEY finished with 37 saves, his most in a Wolves uniform
