Welcome to Wolves Insider: the weekly report that gives you the scoop on all Chicago Wolves developments throughout the team’s 25th anniversary season.
BIG, BUSY WEEK AHEAD FOR FIRST-PLACE WOLVES
The Wolves (33-18-5-1) picked up two key wins last week to surge into first place in the Central Division with just 19 games remaining on the regular-season schedule. Saturday’s loss to Texas put a halt on the Wolves’ six-game winning streak, as well as forward Daniel Carr’s career-best 12-game point streak, but let’s take a look back at how last year’s Wolves handled a few losses in early March…
Around this time in the 2017-18 season, the Wolves also were finishing up a three-game stretch in the Lone Star State, bringing home a pair of wins from San Antonio and one over Texas. After defeating Milwaukee upon return to the midwest, the Wolves stood 31-18-6-2 through 57 games, but their six-game winning streak was soon snapped by Manitoba. The Wolves righted the ship and finished the season 9-3-0-2 to earn back-to-back Central Division titles.
St. Patrick’s Jersey AUCTION ANd RAFFLE
The Wolves will don their St. Patrick’s Day Jerseys on March 15 vs. the Cleveland Monsters and March 16 vs. the San Antonio Rampage. The commemorative jerseys, presented by Jewel-Osco, will be available to own through auction and raffle, with proceeds benefitting Easterseals Metropolitan Chicago and Chicago Wolves Charities.
Defenseman Nic Hague’s jersey will be the prize of the Golden Ticket Raffle while jerseys for forward Daniel Carr and defensemen Dylan Coghlan, Jake Bischoff and Erik Brannstrom and mascot Skates will be available for blind auction both online and in-arena. The remaining jerseys will be available in the silent auction taking place at Allstate Arena behind Section 105 from 6 p.m. on Friday, March 15, until the end of the second intermission on Saturday, March 16.
AMERICAN GIRL NIGHT IS SATURDAY
The Wolves are hosting American Girl Night on Saturday as part of the team’s 7 p.m. game against the Iowa Wild — and several children are going to walk out of Allstate Arena as lucky, random winners of an American Girl doll. The first 1,000 kids through the doors will receive a doll accessory, courtesy of American Girl.
TOP LINE
Forward Brooks Macek tallied the Wolves’ game-winning goal 6:26 into the second period to defeat Rockford 1-0 on Tuesday. He owns three game-winning goals this season. Macek has scored points in four of the Wolves’ last five games and ranks seventh among all AHL skaters with 54 points (23G, 31A).
Forward Daniel Carr extended his point streak to 12 games this week, assisting Macek’s goal against Rockford before scoing the overtime game-winner on Friday in Texas. Carr’s tally in extra time was his 12th goal this season on the man-advantage, matching his career total power-play goals prior to the 2018-19 season.
Goaltender Max Lagace earned his fourth- and fifth-straight wins, posting a 27-save shutout against Rockford before backstopping the Wolves to an overtime win in Texas with 20 saves on 21 shots. Lagace owns a 2.41 goals-against average, which ranks sixth in the AHL, and a .914 save percentage.
REWIND (2-1-0-0)
SATURDAY, MARCH 2: (at) TEXAS 4, CHICAGO 2
- The Wolves scored the game’s first two goals but surrendered four unanswered tallies, including two power-play goals, to the Stars.
- Forwards Tye McGinn and Matthew Weis scored first-period goals for the Wolves.
- Goaltender Oscar Dansk saved 24 shots.
FRIDAY, MARCH 1: CHICAGO 2, (at) TEXAS 1 (OT)
- Daniel Carr rocketed home the game-winning goal 1:04 into overtime to cap the Wolves’ late rally and earn the team’s sixth win in a row.
- Forward Keegan Kolesar scored with 2:31 left in regulation to pull the Wolves even while forwards Brooks Macek and Curtis McKenzie set up Carr’s victorious power-play tally.
- Goaltender Max Lagace stopped 20 shots to pick up his fifth straight win.
TUESDAY, FEB. 26: (at) CHICAGO 1, ROCKFORD 0
- Forward Brooks Macek scored the difference-maker in the second period against the IceHogs, sealing the Wolves’ fifth consecutive win.
- Forwards Daniel Carr and Gage Quinney earned assists on the goal.
- Goaltender Max Lagace earned his first shutout of the season with 27 saves.
