ALLERGY-FREE EASTER EGG HUNT HIGHLIGHTS NUT FREE AWARENESS DAY ON MARCH 6
The Chicago Wolves are hosting Nut Free Awareness Day at 3 p.m. Sunday when they play the Milwaukee Admirals. Allstate Arena’s Section 116 will be power-washed and cleaned to ensure fans with nut allergies can enjoy the game at ease. In addition, concessionnaires will not serve peanut-related food items. Following the game, Nutphree’s Bakery will host an Easter egg hunt in the Skyline Room directly across the street from Allstate Arena. Everyone who purchases a ticket for Section 116 gets to participate in the egg hunt.
AMTRAK RIVALRY HEATS UP
A scheduling quirk has Chicago and Milwaukee facing off five times in a 16-day stretch. The teams split a pair of games in the Amtrak Rivalry last weekend and they meet for another home-and-home series this weekend. They’ll battle Saturday night at the Bradley Center and Sunday afternoon at Allstate Arena.
HITTING THE HOME STRETCH
As the Wolves move into March, every game becomes crucial in the chase for a postseason berth. The Burgundy and Gold have 20 games remaining over the final seven weeks of the season Coach JOHN ANDERSON’s squad is chasing Charlotte for fifth place in the Central Division and a possible “crossover” qualifying spot for the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs.
THIS WEEK
Saturday, March 5
at Milwaukee Admirals
Bradley Center
The U Too (26.2)
Amtrak Rivalry
7 p.m.
Sunday, March 6
vs. Milwaukee Admirals
Allstate Arena
WCIU, The U
Amtrak Rivalry
7 p.m.
Visit ChicagoWolves.com for broadcast schedule, or to watch or listen to the action live online
WOLVES HEADLINERS
• Pat Cannone: Scored a goal in Chicago’s 2-1 win over Milwaukee on Feb. 27 … The Wolves captain reached two milestones in the process, recording the first 20-goal campaign of his professional career and notching the 50th goal of his Wolves career … CANNONE stands 13th in AHL scoring with 44 points.
• Justin Crandall: Netted the game-winning goal in just his second game with the Wolves, a 2-1 decision over Milwaukee Saturday in Amtrak Rivalry action … CRANDALL earned No. 1 Star of the Game honors and followed the next afternoon with an assist in an overtime loss at Grand Rapids … CRANDALL was one of three players signed from the ECHL by the Wolves on Friday, joining left wing Mike Embach and defenseman Nick Petrecki
• Andre Benoit: Recorded an assist versus Milwaukee and tallied a power-play goal against Grand Rapids to secure his spot as the Wolves’ third-leading scorer with 29 points … BENOIT is also tied for 14th place among AHL defenseman in scoring.
• Danny Kristo: Compiled a pair of assists at Grand Rapids on Sunday to add to his team-leading road points total … KRISTO has contributed 29 points (15G, 14A) in 28 road contests, accounting for 76 percent of his offensive production this season … the Eden Prairie, Minnesota, native is 2 points shy of a third-straight 40-point campaign.
• Jordan Binnington: Started all 4 games last week in net – including 3 games in three days – to reach 75 career games in the AHL … the 22-year-old tied a season-high mark with 39 saves (including 6 in overtime) Sunday in a 4-3 loss at Grand Rapids.
WOLF TRACKS
• Jordan Schmaltz, reassigned on Saturday from St. Louis, earned an assist in his first game back and stands fifth in AHL rookie defenseman scoring.
• The Wolves struck for a pair of power-play goals on Sunday, ending a 0-for-12 dry spell that spanned four games.
• Injuries and reassignments have resulted in numerous roster changes during the 2016 calendar year. Chicago has either signed, promoted or acquired 13 players from ECHL rosters over the last two months. As a result, a total of 40 players have appeared in a Wolves uniform this season.
• Starting this weekend with Milwaukee, Chicago has six back-to-back encounters left this season: March 5-6 (Milwaukee), March 18-19 (Rockford), March 25-26 (Iowa), April 1-2 (Lake Erie), April 8-9 (Grand Rapids), and April 15-16 (Iowa)
WOLVES REWIND (1-1-1-0)
Sunday, Feb. 28
(at) Grand Rapids 4, Chicago 3 (OT)
• Chicago saw a two-goal lead evaporate in the third period as Grand Rapids rallied for an overtime win. Andy Miele scored a power-play goal for the game-winner at 4:25 of extra time
• The Wolves received all 3 goals from defensemen JÉRÉMIE BLAIN, Andre Benoit and Jared Nightingale
• Jordan Binnington tied a team season-high with 39 saves
Saturday, Feb. 27
(at) Chicago 2, Milwaukee 1
• Rookie Justin Crandall’s first AHL goal at 5:07 of the third proved to be the game-winner in Amtrak Rivalry action at Allstate Arena
• Pat Cannone answered Milwaukee’s opening goal less than two minutes later to pull the Wolves even in the second period
• Jordan Binnington posted 26 saves to earn the win
Friday, Feb. 26
(at) Milwaukee 4, Chicago 1
• Max Reinhart registered a hat trick as the Admirals pulled away in the third period for an Amtrak Rivalry win at the Bradley Center
• ZACH O’BRIEN cut Milwaukee’s lead to 2-1 late in the second period
• Jordan Binnington posted 37 saves
