Welcome to Wolves Insider: the weekly report that gives you the scoop on all Chicago Wolves developments throughout the team’s 25th anniversary season.
FIRST-PLACE WOLVES CLOSING IN ON PLAYOFF BERTH
The Wolves saw their eight-game home winning streak end on Friday in a 3-2 loss to Cleveland, but Chicago bounced back in a big way to defeat San Antonio 6-2 on Saturday to remain atop the Central Division standings with 81 points. The Wolves are still three points clear of both Grand Rapids and Iowa. If Chicago sweeps its three games this week, there’s a chance it can clinch the franchise’s 20th playoff berth in 25 years on Saturday night.
While the Rockford IceHogs may be a distant fourth in the division, the Illinois Lottery Cup race is all tied up going into the final two games of the series, scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, and Sunday, March 31. Each team has won five games, but the Wolves are outscoring Rockford 31-25 in the series and the Wolves own a 3-1-0-0 record at BMO Harris Bank Center heading into the road games.
The Wolves have three forwards among the league’s top 20 scorers, led by AHL All-Star forward Daniel Carr who continues to top the league’s skaters with 71 points (30G, 41A) despite being sidelined with an injury. Forward Brooks Macek has moved into fourth with 60 points (26G, 34A) while center T.J. Tynan’s six-point weekend helped him break into the top 20 with 54 points (12G, 42A).
Salute to military families Night
The Chicago Wolves are proud to host the fifth annual Salute to Military Families Night, presented by your Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Kia dealers, when the team hosts Milwaukee on Saturday, March 30, at Allstate Arena. The Wolves will honor current and former servicemen and servicewomen and their families throughout the night in appreciation of their dedication to our country.
The Wolves are also hosting a pregame Military Resource Fair to showcase organizations and companies that provide support to veterans and their families. Veterans have the opportunity to receive information and ask direct questions about services and programs designed for them and their families — whether they are getting ready to be deployed or transitioning back to civilian life.
WINE TASTING ON APRIL 3
The Chicago Wolves host their annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser on Wednesday, April 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse Rosemont. Fans will have the opportunity to sample a variety of different wines while socializing with some of their favorite Chicago Wolves players. There will be a variety of auction and raffle items for fans to bid on and a free gift for everyone at the end of the night.
TOP LINE
Center T.J. Tynan notched six points this weekend, including a four-assist performance in the Wolves’ win over San Antonio on Saturday. The 27-year-old Orland Park native has recorded four assists in a game twice in his Wolves career — also handing out four helpers against Bakersfield on Jan. 20, 2018, in a 6-1 victory.
Forward Curtis McKenzie notched a pair of goals in Saturday’s win and added an assist on Friday to deliver a three-point weekend. McKenzie ranks fourth among the Wolves with 45 points (16G, 29A) and on Saturday became the fourth Wolves player to score a short-handed goal this season.
Goaltender Oscar Dansk saved 31 of 33 Rampage shots on Saturday, earning his 20th win of the season. Dansk has recorded wins in four of his last five starts, winning each of the last three, while allowing just six goals in those victories.
REWIND (1-1-0-0)
SATURDAY, MARCH 16: (at) CHICAGO 6, SAN ANTONIO 2
- The Wolves ran out to a 4-0 lead en route to a victory over the Rampage that saw center T.J. Tynan record four assists.
- Forward Curtis McKenzie scored two goals, including one on the penalty kill, while forwards Gage Quinney, Keegan Kolesar, Tye McGinn and Brooks Macek also scored goals for Chicago.
- Goaltender Oscar Dansk recorded 31 saves in the win.
FRIDAY, MARCH 15: CLEVELAND 3, (at) CHICAGO 2
- The Monsters scored three goals during the first 10 minutes of the second period to overturn an early deficit and snap the Wolves’ eight-game home winning streak.
- Center T.J. Tynan and rookie defensemen Dylan Coghlan scored while forward Brooks Macek handed out two assists.
- Goaltender Max Lagace stopped 34 shots.
