Welcome to Wolves Insider: the weekly report that gives you the scoop on all Chicago Wolves developments throughout the team’s 25th anniversary season.
hOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE
The Wolves are spending the final two weeks of February at home, facing all Central Division foes, and opened the five-game homestand with a bang on Sunday. Defenseman Erik Brännström scored his second overtime goal of the season to lift the Wolves over the Iowa Wild, snapping a two-game skid and earning the Wolves two much-needed points in the Central Division race.
The Wolves have 62 points and are now just one point behind the second-place Wild and five back from the division-leading Grand Rapids Griffins, who the Wolves will host on Saturday. The overtime win also put a little separation between Chicago and the rest of the pack; Rockford is in fourth with 58 points while Texas, which the Wolves face twice this week, are in sixth with 55 points. Fifth-place Milwaukee is right in the mix with 56 points while the other two Central teams not coming to town this week, Manitoba and San Antonio, are tied for seventh with 53 points apiece.
Faith & fellowship night
The Wolves host the 10th annual Faith & Fellowship Night on Saturday, Feb. 23, when they take on the Grand Rapids Griffins at 7 p.m. Our “Day of Service” event will take place prior to the game at 4 p.m. in the Skyline Room where, in partnership with the Salvation Army, the Wolves will help spread the message of goodness and giving with several service projects, including blanket-making, food prep and medical supply kit preparation. After the game, Wolves forwards Tyler Wong and Reid Duke will share their personal testimonies on how their faith has impacted their lives and professional hockey careers.
AMERICAN GIRL NIGHT
Join the Wolves on Saturday, March 9, for American Girl Night when the Wolves face off against the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m. The first 1,000 kids at the game receive a free doll accessory and five American Girl Dolls will be given away at random times during the game.
TOP LINE
Rookie defenseman Erik Brännström tallied the Wolves’ overtime-winning goal on Sunday against Iowa, his second winner in extra time this season. Brännström leads Wolves rearguards with 27 points (7G, 20A) and his 12 power-play assists are tied for fourth among all AHL rookies.
Forward Daniel Carr tallied a pair of goals and added an assist in the Wolves’ three games this week. Carr’s six-game goal streak came to an end in Sunday’s matchup, but his assist on Brännström’s overtime goal kept up a seven-game point streak. Carr leads the AHL with 63 points and a +31 plus/minus rating.
Another forward extending his point streak this week was Curtis McKenzie. The 27-year-old scored a goal and dished out three assists across Chicago’s three games, extending his streak to a season-high five contests. McKenzie owns nine goals and 24 assists on the year for the Wolves.
REWIND (1-2-0-0)
SUNDAY, FEB. 17: (at) CHICAGO 2, IOWA 1
- The Wolves toppled the Wild in extra time thanks to rookie defenseman Erik Brännström‘s second overtime winner of the season.
- Forward Brooks Macek notched the other Chicago goal while forward Daniel Carr tallied a point in his seventh consecutive game.
- Goaltender Max Lagace saved 31 of 32 shots in the win.
FRIDAY, FEB. 15: (at) MANITOBA 3, CHICAGO 2
- The Wolves outshot the Moose 40-23 but couldn’t overcome a second-period scoring push and fell 3-2 to end a four-game road stint at Bell MTS Place.
- Forwards T.J. Tynan and Daniel Carr each scored goals for the Wolves while forward Curtis McKenzie tallied assists on both.
- Goaltender Oscar Dansk saved 20 shots.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13: (at) MANITOBA 4, CHICAGO 2
- The Moose scored the first four goals as the Wolves couldn’t get the offense rolling until it was too late at Bell MTS Place.
- Forwards Daniel Carr and Curtis McKenzie each scored third-period goals for the Wolves.
- Goaltender Max Lagace saved 25 shots.
