Welcome to Wolves Roundup, a weekly report of highlights, notes and transactions from the Chicago Wolves’ previous week of competition during the 2017-18 season.
Hang ’em High
This week is a busy week for the Chicago Wolves with four games from Tuesday to Sunday. That stretch includes a 3-in-3 with three games against Central Division rivals.
Before their 3-in-3 begins on the Friday, the Wolves need to take care of business on Tuesday, March 6, against the San Antonio Rampage at AT&T Center. Chicago is on the hunt for its seventh consecutive victory over the Rampage on enemy ice. The Wolves are also looking to take the series finale to tie the season series and avoid losing the series against San Antonio for the first time in six seasons.
Additionally, the Wolves also are looking for their four consecutive victory on the road that would mark their longest road win streak of the 2017-18 season. With their current three wins — against Manitoba (Feb. 25), San Antonio (March 2) and Texas (March 3) — they matched their previous season best set from Dec. 9-15 with wins over Cleveland (Dec. 9), Rockford (Deb. 12) and Grand Rapids (Dec. 15). Interestingly, both three-game road win streaks have included 3-0 victories. In December, Chicago blanked Cleveland and Michael Leighton earned his milestone 50th career AHL win. In March, Oscar Dansk earned his first career AHL shutout over San Antonio.
On Friday, Chicago heads north to Milwaukee for the first time since Dec. 29; it will also be the first time the Wolves and Milwaukee Admirals have faced each other since Feb. 2. Last time the Wolves were at UWM Panther Arena, they eeked out a 3-2 overtime victory with a goal from Jake Walman — now skating with the Binghamton Devils — on Dec. 27 and then suffered a 3-2 shootout setback on Dec. 29.
In the final two games of the 3-in-3, the Wolves host the Central Division-leading Manitoba Moose on Saturday, March 10 for American Girl Night — five dolls will be given away during the game — and then their Illinois Lottery Cup rival, the Rockford IceHogs, come to town on Sunday, March 11.
Top Line
Oscar Dansk
The Sweden native backstopped the Chicago Wolves for two of their three victories last week. The day before he turned 24 — Tuesday — Dansk made 20 saves through 65 minutes and stopped two Texas Stars in the shootout to help the Wolves record their first shootout win of the season. On Friday, Dansk earned the first AHL shutout of his career with a 28- save performance against the San Antonio Rampage. In those two contests, Dansk compiled a 1.44 goals- against average and .941 save percentage.
Jason Garrison
The 33-year-old veteran collected two goals — both empty-netters — to mark his first points in back- to-back games since Jan. 3 and 5. Garrison also posted a +2 plus/ minus rating and seven shots on goal through three games. Prior to the addition of Philip Holm, Garrison was Chicago’s top-scoring defenseman. In points scored while skating with the Wolves, Garrison still leads the pack (6-18—24).
Brandon Pirri
The Toronto native continues to pace the Chicago Wolves in points per game with a 1.02 clip. Last week, the 26-year-old collected three goals and two assists for five points in three games. He also finished with a +1 plus/minus rating and 12 shots on goal. Now leading the Wolves with 23 goals, Pirri broke into the league’s top 10 for goal-scoring. He resides in the No. 6 spot with five other skaters.
T.J. Tynan
The 26-year-old Illinois native registered four points last week with one goal and three assists. He also finished the week with a +4 plus/minus rating. Tynan moved into the No. 7 spot — tied with Tucson’s Dylan Strome — on the AHL scoring leaderboard. He’s one point shy of his first career 50-point season.
Rewind
Saturday, March 3 Chicago 4, (at) Texas 1
- Chicago earned its fourth consecutive victory with its second straight win over Texas.
- Center Brandon Pirri netted two goals while Jason Garrison and Stefan Matteau added empty-netters to ensure the victory.
- Goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo made 24 saves en route to the victory.
Friday, March 2 Chicago 3, (at) San Antonio 0
- The Wolves shut out the Rampage for their first win of the season series.
- Goaltender Oscar Dansk stopped 28 shots for his first career AHL shutout.
- Forward T.J. Tynan and defensemen Jake Bischoff and Jason Garrison scored the goals.
Tuesday, Feb. 27 (at) Chicago 4, Texas 3 (SO)
- Chicago won its 15th of 16 games on home ice with its first shootout victory of the season.
- The team’s top scorer, T.J. Tynan, delivered the winning shootout goal while netminder Oscar Dansk stopped former Wolves captain Brent Regner’s attempt to clinch the victory.
- Center Brandon Pirri scored in regulation and the shootout while Bryce Gervais and Keegan Kolesar accounted for Chicago’s other two goals in regulation.
- In the crease, Dansk made 20 saves during 65 minutes of game action and stopped two of three attempts in the shootout.
On Deck
| Tuesday, March 6 | at San Antonio | AT&T Center | 7 p.m.. | Watch |
| Friday, March 9 | at Milwaukee | UWM Panther Arena | 7 p.m. | Watch |
| Saturday, March 10 | vs. Manitoba | Allstate Arena | 7 p.m. | Tickets |
| Sunday, March 11 | vs. Rockford | Allstate Arena | 3 p.m. | Tickets |
| Saturday, March 17 | vs. Rockford | Allstate Arena | 7 p.m. | Tickets |
All times Central. Visit ChicagoWolves.com for a complete broadcast schedule; all games stream on AHLLive.com.
