Saturday, Oct. 22 | 7 p.m. | AT&T Center
On the Hunt
Four Chicago Wolves rookies are still on the hunt for their first point as professional hockey players. Forwards Samuel Blais, Conner Bleackley, Mackenzie MacEachern and defenseman Kevin Tansey are still in search of their elusive first pro point. Rookie defenseman Vince Dunn recorded his first goal on Oct. 15 against the Grand Rapids Giffins at Allstate Arena. He also picked up his first professional assist in that game, helping set up Ivan Barbashev’s first goal of the season. Making his professional debut last season with the Wolves, but still considered a rookie coming in under the 21-game minimum, Bryce Gervais is the only other Wolves rookie with AHL points to his name. AHL rookie netminder Ville Husso is also in search of his first win. The 21-year-old made his debut on Oct. 15 against Grand Rapids and posted 24 saves in the 4-2 loss.
Kristo’s Kind of Town
The Last time the Wolves visited San Antonio, forward Danny Kristo enjoyed a weekend for the ages. On Nov. 6, Chicago needed Jeremy Welsh’s goal with 55 seconds left in order to force overtime. Once in extra time, Kristo delivered the game-winner 3:26 into OT for the 4-3 victory. Two days later, Chicago scored 3 goals in the final 10 minutes to force another overtime. Once again, Kristo came through with the game-winner to lift the Wolves to another 4-3 win.
It’s Not How Fast You Start
If there’s one thing the Chicago Wolves have proven in recent seasons, the way the team starts usually doesn’t determine how the team finishes. Last year, the Wolves opened 8-1- 0-1 (.900) but did not qualify for the playoffs. In 2013-14, the Wolves started 3-5-0-1 (.389) and wound up winning the Central Division. In 2012-13, the Wolves started 4-0-0-0 and missed the playoffs. Finally, in 2011-12, the Wolves suffered two losses and two shootout losses in their first four games — only to roll to the Midwest Division title.
Back in Black
On Wednesday against the Milwaukee Admirals, the Chicago Wolves debuted their new alternate jerseys. Orginally unveiled on Sept. 19, the black sweaters are adorned with gray, lime green and white accents and feature the wolf head logo. The club will wear the threads a limited number of times throughout the first half the season. During the second half — beginning on Dec. 26 when all teams switch to wearing dark-colored jerseys at home — the team will dawn the black alternates during every Sunday game and other select games in 2017. See the full release on the jersey by visiting ChicagoWolves.com
Wednesday Rewind
Wednesday, Oct. 19 Milwaukee 2, (at) Chicago 1
In the first of 12 Amtrak Rivalry contests, Chicago fell 2-1 to the Milwaukee Admirals. Wolves winger Kenny Agostino opened scoring at 14:12 of the first period; Danny Kristo and Brad Hunt registered assists on the play. Just 39 seconds later, Milwaukee’s Trevor Smith notched the equalizer, and Austin Watson netted the game-winner at 8:36 of the second period. In his season debut, Pheonix Copley turned aside 28 shots; he was pulled in the final 1:23 for an extra attacker while the Wolves searched for the tying tally. Milwaukee netminder Juuse Saros stopped 30 of 31 shots he faced in the victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
14: Fourteen Chicago Wolves players are in search of their first point of the 2016-17 season. Thus far, only seven players have made the scoresheet: forwards Kenny Agostino (G, A), Ivan Barbashev (G), Landon Ferraro (2A), Danny Kristo (A) and Brett Sterling (G), as well as defensemen Vince Dunn (G, A) and Brad Hunt (3A). A model of consistency on the blue line, Hunt has registered a point in all three Wolves games so far this season. Dunn’s points were his first in the professional ranks. Sterling’s goal was his first AHL tally since April 16, 2013, while Agostino’s and Ferraro’s points marked their first as Chicago Wolves.
31: The Chicago Wolves’ highest number of saves against an opponent three games into the 2016-17 season. In the club’s season opener versus the Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel Arena, goaltender Jordan Binnington turned aside 31 shots in the 3-1 loss. The game was also Binnington’s season debut. The Wolves are currently carrying three goaltenders: Binnington, Pheonix Copley and rookie Ville Husso. All three have started this season, and all three have 0-1-0 records. Binnington is also the team leader in save percentage (.939) and goals-against average (2.04).
39: The number of seconds the Chicago Wolves have led in 180 minutes of game time this season. With their current 0-3-0-0 record, the Wolves are looking to gain a lead and keep it. The Wolves led the Milwaukee Admirals for 39 seconds in the opening period of Wednesday’s 2-1 loss. Kenny Agostino delivered the game’s first marker at 14:12 of the first frame, but Milwaukee’s Trevor Smith answered less than a minute later. The Admirals notched the game-winning tally at 8:36 of the second frame for the one-goal victory.
100: Chicago Wolves third-year defenseman Petteri Lindbohm is appearing in his 100th American Hockey League game tonight. Through 99 games, the 23-year-old has nine goals and 20 assists for 29 points. He has accrued 114 penalty minutes. Lindbohm has also spent parts of the previous two seasons in the National Hockey League, skating in 33 games for the St. Louis Blues.
300: During Wednesday’s game, Chicago Wolves players raised $300 through the Chicago Wolves Charities Score for Charity program. Throughout the season, when certain players score goals or register points, different Chicago Wolves sponsors will donate to a charity of their choice. With his first-period goal against the Milwaukee Admirals, Kenny Agostino netted $150 for Citizen Schools courtesy of Carlucci Rosemont. Recording assists on the play, Danny Kristo earned $50 from Heidenhain for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Brad Hunt banked $100 for Willow House courtesy of T.J. Maxx. For a full list of Score for Charity donations and players, visit ChicagoWolves.com.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Tonight’s game begins at 7:00 p.m. with CW50’s “Saturday Night with the Wolves”. All 25 of the Wolves’ Saturday games will appear live on CW50, which also will host five Sunday games.
Visit ChicagoWolves.com for a complete broadcast schedule; all games stream live on AHLLive.com
Follow @Chicago_Wolves on Twitter for live game updates.
