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
Wednesday, Dec. 21 | vs. IceHogs^ | Rockford | 7 p.m. CT |
Thursday, Dec. 22 | vs. Milwaukee^ | Allstate Arena | 7 p.m. CT |
Monday, Dec. 26 | at Milwaukee^ | UWM Panthers Arena | 7 p.m. CT |
Wednesday, Dec. 28 | vs. IceHogs^ | at Rockford | 7 p.m. CT |
Friday, Dec. 30 | vs. Milwaukee* | 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
Kenny Agostino
Though his point streak ended in seven games on Saturday, Dec. 17, in the Chicago Wolves’ 2-1 overtime loss to the reigning Calder Cup champion Cleveland Monsters, the 24-year-old still averaged a point per game through three outings this week. On Thursday, Dec. 15, Agostino registered an assist, and Sunday he collected two points as he helped set up two of Chicago’s three tallies in its 4-3 shootout loss to the Rockford IceHogs. The former Yale University Bulldog collected 3 goals and 10 assists for 13 points in his recently end seven-game point streak.
Vince Dunn
The youngest player on the Wolves’ roster, the 20-year-old is beginning to come into his own and show the skills that got him selected in the 2015 NHL Draft. Dunn nabbed only a goal through three games last week, but he spent plenty of time on the ice in important situations. In the Wolves’ 4-3 shootout setback against their Illinois Lottery Cup rival, the Rockford IceHogs, he registered a goal and also made some key defensive plays on special teams and in overtime to help keep Chicago in the game. Dunn is also the Wolves’ leading scorer among current defensemen — as well as the rookie class — with 4 goals and 6 assists through 24 games.
Brad Hunt
Since being recalled from loan by the St. Louis Blues (NHL) on Dec. 8, the 28-year-old defenseman has appeared in four of five games for the Blues. Playing in four consecutive games for St. Louis, Hunt registered a goal and three assists for a point-per-game average. Dec. 17 against the Chicago Blackhawks was the first game the British Columbia native did not play since his recall, and St. Louis dropped the contest 6-4 to the Blackhawks. The Blues are 2-2-0 with Hunt in the lineup and 0-1-0 when he’s not dressed for competition.
Wolf Tracks
Nightingale Returns to Wolves | On Dec. 16, the Chicago Wolves signed veteran defenseman Jared Nightingale to a professional tryout contract (PTO). Nightingale is no stranger to the Wolves as he skated in 31 games during the 2015-16 season for Chicago and tallied 6 points (2G, 4A), 68 penalty minutes and a -3 plus/minus rating. In 2007-08, the 34-year-old appeared in five games with the Wolves. Nightingale comes to Chicago from the Toledo Walleye (ECHL). With the Walleye this season, the Jackson, Michigan, native has a goal and two assists through 23 games. He also has a -5 plus/minus rating and 42 penalty minutes.
Wolves Trade Young to San Antonio | On Dec. 17, the Chicago Wolves traded defenseman Gus Young to the San Antonio Rampage for future considerations. Young signed a contract with the Wolves on Aug. 12, 2016. This season, he skated in six games for Chicago and registered an assist, a -2 plus/minus rating and 26 penalty minutes. Previously, Young spent time in the San Jose Sharks organization, with both the Worcester Sharks and San Jose Barracuda. The 25-year-old was a member of the Yale University Bulldogs squad that won the 2013 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey National Championship, the first in the school’s history. Young was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the seventh round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Toys for Tots | Help the Chicago Wolves brighten the holidays for children in need by donating to the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Drive. Fans are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys and drop them into the Toys for Tots boxes on the concourse throughout Allstate Arena during the Wolves’ final home before the holiday break on Dec. 22 against the Milwaukee Admirals.
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.
REWIND
Recent Games Recaps
Sunday, Dec. 18 (at) Chicago 3, Rockford 4 (SO)
- Chicago lost to Rockford in a shootout to extend the team’s winless streak to three games.
- Forward Jordan Caron and rookie defenseman Vince Dunn both scored in the first frame to give the Wolves a 2-0 lead.
- In the third period, Rockford scored two goals, including one in the final six seconds to force overtime.
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The IceHogs’ Spencer Abbott was the lone scorer in the shootout to seal the Rockford victory.
Sunday, Dec. 17 (at) Chicago 1, Cleveland 2 (OT)
- The Wolves dropped their second consecutive game in a setback against Cleveland.
- Monsters defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron scored just 55 seconds into overtime.
- Part-time forward Scooter Vaughan netted his second goal of the season to open scoring at 9:44 of the second period.
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Goaltender Pheonix Copley turned aside 21 shots in the loss.
Thursday, Dec. 15 (at) Chicago 1, Grand Rapids 7
- Chicago lost its second straight School-Day Game to Grand Rapids
- The Griffins scored six consecutive goals before Ivan Barbashev got on the board at 7:33 of the third period.
- Goaltender Jordan Binnington relieved Pheonix Copley with 3:19 to play in the middle frame; each netminder turned aside 10 shots with Copley getting the loss.