Welcome to Wolves Insider: the weekly report that gives you the scoop on all Chicago Wolves developments throughout the team’s 25th anniversary season.
hunting for more wins in winnipeg
The Chicago Wolves are hitting the back half of a four-game road trip this week with a pair of games in Manitoba and are in high spirits after picking up wins in Milwaukee and Grand Rapids over the weekend. While the Griffins still own the lead in the Central Division with 63 points, the Wolves’ 4-1 win on Sunday helped Chicago leapfrog the Griffins for the best winning percentage in the Division at .625 (27-15-5-1).
The wins improved the Wolves’ road record to 16-7-1-0 as well as bumping Chicago’s special teams numbers. The Wolves went 7 for 7 on the penalty kill this weekend, which upped their kill percentage to a 87.2 percent clip on the road. Chicago also scored two power-play goals, both on Sunday, to bring the season’s conversion rate to an even 21 percent overall.
With the Wolves producing so many goals this season — they’re tied for third in the league with 170 — it’s no surprise that several players are closing in on landmark numbers. Center T.J. Tynan notched a goal on Saturday before dishing out two assists on Sunday after missing four games due to injury. When Tynan fed a pass that ended in defenseman Nic Hague’s goal against the Griffins, he notched his 100th point in a Wolves sweater and now owns 101 points in 114 games with Chicago.
Forward Daniel Carr also hit a milestone on Sunday with his empty-net goal to seal the Wolves’ victory, tallying his career-high 25th goal of the year. His prior AHL-best of 24 was set during the 2014-15 season with the Hamilton Bulldogs. Carr’s 35 assists are also a career mark and he sits atop league scoring at 60 points, six better than Syracuse’s Carter Verhaeghe.
brave the shave WITH ST. BALDRICK’S
The Chicago Wolves are hosting St. Baldrick’s Night on Saturday, March 30, and invite everyone to be a hero for kids with cancer and have their head shaved by Sport Clips stylists during the 7 p.m. matchup with the Milwaukee Admirals at Allstate Arena. If you’d rather not shave, but would love to support the cause, call (847) 832-1937 to purchase tickets for the game and a portion of the proceeds will go to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
If you’re already planning to shave your head at another St. Baldrick’s outing elsewhere in the Chicago area, we want to thank you with a complimentary ticket!
FAMILY SUNDAY FUN
Take advantage of two Family Sunday opportunities this month, taking place on February 17 and 24 at Allstate. Enjoy free face-painting, sign-making, caricature-drawing and postgame autographs, as well as admission ticket giveaways to local attractions. The first 1,000 kids this Sunday receive tickets to Brookfield Zoo.
TOP LINE
Center T.J. Tynan returned from a four-game injury absence in a big way, leading all Wolves players with three points (G, 2A) this weekend. Tynan extended his road point streak to an AHL-best 11 games, notching 15 points during the span, and ranks third among league skaters with 32 assists this season.
Forward Daniel Carr tallied a goal in each of the Wolves wins this weekend, reaching the 60-point mark with 25 goals and 35 assists in 42 games this season. Both marks are AHL career bests for the veteran forward, as are his nine power-play goals for the Wolves. His +30 plus/minus rating leads the league as well.
Goaltender Max Lagace recorded 34 saves in the Wolves’ win over first-place Grand Rapids on Sunday, tied for the third-most by a Wolves netminder this season. It was Lagace’s first appearance for the Wolves after spending most of the prior month with Las Vegas, where he appeared in one game for the Golden Knights.
REWIND (2-0-0-0)
SUNDAY, FEB. 10: CHICAGO 4, (at) GRAND RAPIDS 1
- The Wolves excelled on special teams at Van Andel Arena, scoring twice on the power play to best Grand Rapids and jump over the Griffins for the best winning percentage in the Central Division.
- Defenseman Nic Hague and forward Curtis McKenzie scored on the man advantage while forwards Gage Quinney and Daniel Carr also added goals for the Wolves.
- Goaltender Max Lagace saved 34 shots in the win.
SATURDAY, FEB. 9: CHICAGO 3, (at) MILWAUKEE 2 (OT)
- Right wing Brooks Macek’s goal 1:28 into overtime gave the Wolves the victory during a rare Saturday afternoon game at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.
- Forwards T.J. Tynan and Daniel Carr scored in regulation while defenseman Dylan Coghlan and forward Curtis McKenzie set up Macek’s game-winner
- Goaltender Oscar Dansk stopped 20 shots to push his record in overtimes to 3-2 this season.