October 31, 2016

Welcome to Wolves Roundup, a weekly report of highlights, notes and transactions from the Chicago Wolves’ previous week of competition during the 2016-17 season.

ON DECK

^ AHL Live only, * U Too, # CW50

Games will be telecast live on CW50 or  U Too; visit ChicagoWolves.com for a complete broadcast schedule; all games stream live on AHLLive.com

TOP LINE

Jordan Caron
The right wing returned to the lineup for the first time in four games on Oct. 28 against the Wolves’ in-state rival, the Rockford IceHogs, in Rockford. The 25-year-old tallied four points (4A) and 26 penalty minutes in three games over the weekend. Three of Caron’s assists came Saturday in Chicago’s 7-3 romp over Rockford at Allstate Arena. His first helper of the contest came on defenseman Brad Hunt’s 50th career AHL goal. He followed that with a primary assist, setting up Ivan Barbashev’s early second-period marker, and then Brett Sterling’s tally at 15:15 of the final frame. On Sunday in the Wolves 4-2 victory over the defending Calder Cup champion Cleveland Monsters, Caron was credited with the primary assist on Hunt’s opening marker.

https://youtu.be/gn9LT09NZ-s

Brad Hunt
A member of the Wolves’ top defensive duo, the reliable blueliner racked up 6 points through three games this weekend. His three-game performance also makes him the Wolves’ leading point getter with 10 points (3G, 7A) through eight games so far this season. Hunt also recorded a milestone, netting his 50th career AHL goal in Saturday’s 7-3 victory over the Rockford IceHogs in Illinois Lottery Cup action at Allstate Arena. Hunt has registered at least 1 point in seven of the Wolves’ eight games this season.

Magnus Paajarvi
On Friday, Oct. 28, the 25-year-old left wing was loaned to the Wolves by the St. Louis Blues. In his third go-round with the Wolves, Paajarvi is clicking along at a point-per-game pace (2G, A) through three games. The native of Sweden served as the starting left wing for all three games this weekend. Saturday and Sunday his linemates were center Wade Megan and rookie Samuel Blais. The trio appeared to have great chemistry, creating numerous scoring chances, including a breakaway chance for Blais in Sunday’s 4-2 victory over Cleveland. Blais did not score, but he drew a power-play opportunity for the Wolves.

WOLF TRACKS

Firsts, 50 and 200 | Over the weekend a number of Wolves players picked up their first goal, assist or point of the season. In Friday’s 3-2 loss to the Rockford IceHogs in Rockford, left wing Magnus Paajarvi netted his first goal in his season debut with the Wolves. On Saturday, defenseman Morgan Ellis and center Landon Ferraro both recorded their first goals of the 2016-17 campaign in the 7-3 romp over in-state rival Rockford at Allstate Arena.  Wolves captain Chris Butler registered his first marker of the season, as did forward Bryce Gervais, in Sunday’s 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Monsters. In that same contest, rookie Samuel Blais picked up his first professional point, assisting on Paajarvi’s second goal of the season. Also in Saturday’s contest with the IceHogs, blueliner Brad Hunt nabbed his 50th career AHL goal, while left wing Brett Sterling notched his 200th career AHL assist.

Second Stanza Success | Through eight games, the Chicago Wolves have tallied 12 of their 23 goals in the second period. That includes three goals during Saturday night’s 7-3 victory over the in-state rival Rockford IceHogs in Illinois Lottery Cup competition at Allstate Arena. The Wolves have registered 12 goals on 75 shots for a 16 percent shooting percentage in the middle frame. Chicago has tallied five goals in the first period and six in the third, while getting 70 and 74 shots on goal, respectively.

Justified Center | The Chicago Wolves centermen are excelling on the faceoff dot through eight games in the 2016-17 campaign. Centers Kenny Agostino (9 of 17), Landon Ferraro (51 of 99) and Alex Friesen (50 of 90) are all above 50 percent on the draw. The Wolves wings have fared well when called upon at the center dot. Danny Kristo has won 3 of 4 faceoffs, while Brett Sterling has had success 2 of 3 times on the dot. Overall, the team is carrying a 47 percent win percentage.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside | The Chicago Wolves are asking fans to donate children’s outerwear during the Snug Hugs for Kids winter clothing drive, presented by Merlin 200,000 Mile Shops. Bring new or like-new coats, scarves, hats, or any other winter clothing item sized to fit children that are newborn to 18 years old, to the Wolves Customer Service Booth during any home game through Dec. 13. If you can’t make it to a game, you can donate new or like-new children’s winter outerwear at any Merlin 200,000 Miles Shop until December 9. All donations benefit Children’s Home + Aid. Fans can also make cash donation by visiting Merlins.com.

REWIND

Sunday, Oct. 30
(at) Chicago 4, Cleveland 2

• Chicago closed out a weekend toppling the defending Calder Cup champion Cleveland Monsters.
• Captain Chris Butler and forward Bryce Gervais registered their first goals of the season.
• Defenseman Brad Hunt and wing Magnus Paajarvi accounted for the other two Wolves’ markers.
• Goaltender Jordan Binnington made 22 saves in the victory.

Saturday, Oct. 29
(at) Chicago 7, Rockford 3

• Chicago captured its first win at Allstate Arena and first in Illinois Lottery Cup competition this season.
• Seven different Wolves players registered at least two points in the victory.
• Defenseman Brad Hunt nabbed his 50th career AHL goal, while Morgan Ellis and Landon Ferraro recorded their first goals of the season.
• Goaltender Pheonix Copley stopped 26 shots to earn his first win of the year.

Friday, Oct. 28
(at) Rockford 3, Chicago 2

• The Wolves dropped the first game of a home-and-home series against the Rockford IceHogs in Rockford.
• Rockford scored and answered each of Chicago’s goals for the victory.
• Forwards Kenny Agostino and Magnus Paajarvi each netted goals; Paajarvi’s was his first of the season.
• Goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 34 of 37 shots.