IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY SEASON
JOHN ANDERSON’s team will enjoy plenty of ice time this week. Tuesday’s game at Rockford started a run of four contests in a six-day period, including three in a row this weekend. The Wolves reach the midway point of the season (Game #38) on Sunday at Grand Rapids. Chicago looks to take advantage of home dates against Iowa (Friday) and Lake Erie (Saturday) before playing five of six games on the road to close out January.
BREWS AND BITES
When the Wolves host Iowa at 7 p.m. Friday at Allstate Arena, it’s Craft Beer Night. Goose Island flights will be available for those who like to sample different craft beers. This is not to be confused with Brews and Bites, the popular Wolves fundraiser on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Hofbrauhaus Chicago in Rosemont. It’s a chance for Wolves players and fans to connect in a relaxed atmosphere with authentic German beers paired carefully with specific appetizers. Wolves defenseman Konrad Abeltshauser, a Bad Tolz, Germany native, can vouch for Hofbrauhaus’ commitment to excellence and authenticity. When he visited Hofbrauhaus recently, he discovered he had German friends in common with one of the members of the house band. To join the fun, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.
FAMILIAR FOES
The Wolves’ 41 remaining games will be contested against Central Division opponents. The Wolves played eight games out-of-division this season, dropping three of four against Texas and splitting four games versus San Antonio, both members of the Pacific Division.
THIS WEEK
Friday, Jan. 15
vs. Iowa Wild
Allstate Arena
The U Too (26.2)
7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 16
vs. Lake Erie Monsters
Allstate Arena
The U Too (26.2)
7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 17
at Grand Rapids Griffins
Van Andel Arena
AHLLive.com
3 p.m.
WOLVES HEADLINERS
• Andre Benoit: Was one of two Wolves players named to the AHL All-Star Classic, slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 1 in Syracuse … It’s the second time BENOIT has been chosen to play in the All-Star Game – he was chosen in 2013 Eastern Conference squad as a member of the Binghamton Senators, but withdrew after being called up by Ottawa … BENOIT is tied for third among AHL defensemen in scoring with 24 points (3G, 21A).
• Pat Cannone: Also received an invitation to the AHL All-Star Classic, his first such selection … With points in back-to-back games, CANNONE now owns 8 goals and 16 assists for 24 points in 35 games, sharing team scoring honors with BENOIT … The Wolves captain is on pace for a career-best offensive season with the team.
• Ivan Barbashev: Netted his seventh goal of the season Tuesday night and continues to pace Wolves rookies in scoring with 18 points in 30 games … In the process, the 20-year-old center has scored against five different teams: Charlotte, Iowa, Lake Erie, Manitoba and Rockford … The Moscow, Russia native tallied 45 goals last year as a member of the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
• Jeremie Blain: The newest Wolves acquisition scored a goal in his season debut on Jan. 8 at Texas … BLAIN jumped into the rush and one-timed a pass from Ty Rattie … Returned on loan from the Brampton Beast (ECHL) on Jan. 5, BLAIN ranked third in team scoring and seventh among league defensemen prior to his promotion … Tuesday night at Rockford, BLAIN led the team with 4 shots on goal.
WOLF TRACKS
• Center Pat Cannone earned his 175th career AHL point Tuesday night – the most among active Wolves players.
• The Wolves placed a season-high 50 shots on goal in their 5-2 loss to Texas on Jan. 9. Danny Kristo launched 9 shots while Riley Brace finished with 7 shots on net as Stars netninder Philippe Desrosiers recorded 48 saves.
• The Wolves are 11-0-0-0 when scoring at least four goals in a game.
• Chicago is one of five teams in the AHL to utilize just two goaltenders this season. Pheonix Copley (2.72 GAA, .906 SV%) and Jordan Binnington (2.57 GAA, .910 SV%) have split duties through 35 games, sporting nearly identical numbers. With BINNINGTON currently in St. Louis, the Wolves have called upon Niklas Lundstrom from Elmira (ECHL) to serve as a backup.
WOLVES REWIND (0-3-0-0)
Tuesday, Jan. 12
(at) Rockford 5, Chicago 2
• Chicago scored a pair of power-play goals, but it wasn’t enough in a loss to Rockford in Illinois Lottery Cup action from the MetroCentre
• Centers Jeremy Welsh and Ivan Barbashev scored deflection goals on the man advantage for the Wolves, who fell into a 2-0 hole nine minutes into the game.
• Pheonix Copley turned away 28 shots
Saturday, Jan. 9
(at) Texas 5, Chicago 2
• Despite being outshot 50-27, Texas completed a weekend sweep of Chicago with a win at Cedar Park Center
• Zack Torquato and Riley Brace scored their first goals for the Wolves, who played their last non-divisional game of the season
• Pheonix Copley finished with 22 saves
Friday, Jan. 8
(at) Texas 3, Chicago 1
• Texas scored a power-play goal early in each of the first two periods to set the tone for the victory at Cedar Park Center
• Jeremie Blain delivered Chicago’s lone goal with 0:56 to go as Ty Rattie and Scooter Vaughan set up the score
• Jordan Binnington stopped 29 of 32 shots in the loss
