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
| Tuesday, Nov. 22 | at Charlotte^ | Bojangles’ Coliseum | 6 p.m. CT |
| Wednesday, Nov. 23 | at Charlotte^ | Bojangles’ Coliseum | 6 p.m. CT |
| Saturday, Nov. 26 | vs. Rockford# | Allstate Arena | 7 p.m. CT |
| Sunday, Nov. 27 | vs. Manitoba* | Allstate Arena | 4 p.m. CT |
| Wednesday, Nov. 30 | vs. Texas^ | Allstate Arena | 7 p.m. CT |
^ 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
Samuel Blais
The 20-year-old registered 2 points in Saturday’s 5-0 victory over the Iowa Wild. He was one of four rookies — Conner Bleackley (A), Vince Dunn (A) and Bryce Gervais (2G) were the others — to account for 6 of the Chicago Wolves’ 13 points in the contest. The Montmagny, Quebec, native nabbed both a goal and an assist. On the rush in at 17:34 of the middle frame, Alex Friesen fed Blais a cross-slot pass for a wrist shot that found the back of the net to double the Wolves’ lead. Then, at 6:20 of the third period, Blais dropped a pass back to a trailing Jordan Schmaltz for a shot. Gervais crashed the net and the puck went off his body into the net give the Wolves the 4-0 lead.
The smile says it all. pic.twitter.com/NbfsQZrFEN
— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) November 20, 2016
Bryce Gervais
During Saturday’s 5-0 win against the Iowa Wild, the rookie forward recorded the second two-game performance of his career (April 8, 2016, at Grand Rapids). At 6:20 of the final frame, fellow rookie Samuel Blais dropped a pass back to a trailing Jordan Schmaltz for a wrist shot. Gervais crashed the net for the rebound and the puck went off his body and in to extend the Wolves’ lead to 4-0. Then, in the last five minutes of the game, rookie center Conner Bleackley whipped the puck out of the left offensive corner to Emerson Clark near the slot for a shot. Again, Gervais crashed the net and wrangled the rebound for his second marker of the evening.
Make that 4-0 Wolves! Schmaltz’s shot gets blocked, but Gervais crashes the crease and knocks it home! #IAvsCHI pic.twitter.com/BibkscsEBp
— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) November 20, 2016
Jordan Schmaltz
The 23-year-old defenseman made his 2016-17 season debut and tallied 2 points over the weekend. On Friday, Nov. 18, against the Iowa Wild at Wells Fargo Arena, wing Kenny Agostino fed Schmaltz at the top of the left circle for a laser wrist shot that pulled the Wolves within 3-2 at 7:23 of the third period. In Saturday’s 5-0 home win over Iowa, the Verona, Wisconsin, native nabbed an assist as he wristed a trailing pass from rookie Samuel Blais on net. Bryce Gervais crashed the net, wrangled the rebound and extended the Wolves’ lead to 4-0.
Welcome back, @JSchmaltz24! pic.twitter.com/kVyiQ9khnC
— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) November 19, 2016
Wolf Tracks
Trading Places | On Saturday, the St. Louis Blues loaned defenseman Reid McNeill to the Wolves after acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a National Hockey League trade for Wolves right wing Danny Kristo. McNeill posted 4 goals, 21 assists and 319 penalty minutes in 190 career appearances for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL).
Non-Perishable Food Drive | Fans can help the Chicago Wolves fill the stomachs of those in need this holiday season by participating in the team’s annual food drive. Bring non-perishable food items to any of the remaining home games in the month of November. Donations benefit the Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry.
The Weather Outside is Frightful | Chicago Wolves fans are encouraged to donate children’s outerwear during the Snug Hugs for Kids winter clothing drive, presented by Merlin 200,000 Mile Shops. Bring new or gently-used coats, scarves, hats or any other winter clothing items sized to fit children from newborn to 18 years old to the Wolves Customer Service Booth during any home game through Dec. 13. Fan unable to make it to a home game between now and Dec. 13 can donate new or gently-used children’s winter outerwear at any Merlin 200,000 Miles Shop until Dec. 9. All donations benefit Children’s Home + Aid. Fans can also make cash donations by visiting Merlins.com.
The Force is Strong with You | What side are you on? Join the Chicago Wolves on Saturday, Dec. 3 for the team’s second Star Wars Night. The Wolves will battle the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m. inside Allstate Arena in a galaxy not so far away. Fans are encouraged to don their best Star Wars costumes, meet up with characters from the Star Wars universe and take part in Jedi training, located behind Sections 209 and 212. Click here and use the code FORCE to unlock a special ticket package that includes a game ticket and a lightsaber.
Holiday Gift Packs | For the holiday season, the Chicago Wolves are offering an open-dated ticket package for remaining regular-season games. The 10-voucher package also includes a Wolves winter hat, holiday puck, winter scarf and 30-minute Gameworks play card. The vouchers are redeemable in any increment for any remaining 2016-17 regular-season home games. Get your holiday shopping started today!
REWIND
Saturday, Nov. 19
(at) Chicago 5, Iowa 0
- Chicago shut out Iowa; goaltender Pheonix Copley turned aside 20 shots for his first shutout of the year.
- Forward Bryce Gervais nabbed two goals, and Andrew Agozzino, Samuel Blais and Wade Megan each registered a goal.
- Wolves rookies — Samuel Blais (G, A), Conner Bleackley (A), Vince Dunn (A) and Gervais (2G) — accounted for 6 of the team’s 13 points.
Friday, Nov. 18
(at) Iowa 3, Chicago 2
- Chicago dropped the first of back-to-back games against the Iowa Wild.
- Defenseman Brad Hunt registered 2 points (G, A) to continue as the league’s top-scoring defenseman.
- Second-year blueliner Jordan Schmaltz notched his first goal of the season in his 2016-17 season debut.
- Goaltender Jordan Binnington turned aside 30 shots in his second consecutive start.
