PAYING THE PRICE

December 11, 2024

Welcome to Wolves Insider, presented by Are You Really Winning?: The weekly report that gives you an inside look at the latest Chicago Wolves news and happenings. Look for a new edition of Wolves Insider each week.

GUNLER FRONT AND CENTER

Planting yourself in front of the opposing goal during power plays means opening yourself up to a myriad of cross-checks, slashes and shoves.

But the payoff makes it worth it.

Since being shifted to the front of the goal and along the goal line while the Wolves have a man advantage, Noel Gunler’s offensive production has skyrocketed.

“It’s been a bit of a new position for the last 10 games,” said Gunler, who previously had played all over the ice except at the point during power plays. “I kind of like it because you get to go to the net and score some goals, which feels great. I’m just trying to read the play and sometimes screen the goalie but mostly show my blade and be a threat in front of the net.”

Over the last nine games, Gunler has a team-leading four power-play goals, including a score in three consecutive contests from Nov. 17-23. The 23-year-old from Lulea, Sweden, now leads the Wolves in goals with six.

“I love to score so I try and work hard and go to the net,” Gunler said. I just want to do the right stuff out there. It’s been going in lately, which feels great. I’m happy with that and hopefully I can keep scoring.”

Even if scoring some of those goals comes with a price.

“You get some cross-checks but it’s well worth it when I get those goals,” Gunler said of his power-play positioning. “It’s fun.”

FACE THE NATIONS

After this weekend’s games against the Stars in Texas, forward Felix Unger Sorum will head to Ottawa to represent Team Sweden in the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship that runs from Dec. 26-Jan. 5.

“I’m really excited–it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Unger Sorum said. “It’s a huge honor to play for Sweden, Every game is super fun and you never know when your last game can be for the national team so I try to take advantage of every moment I get.”

The 19-year-old Unger Sorum played for Sweden in the 2024 World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, and finished with a goal and five assists in seven games as the host country captured a silver medal.

With 20 American Hockey League contests with the Wolves under his belt, Unger Sorum will be relied upon to use his experience to help boost his younger teammates–and Team Sweden’s offense–this time around.

Also looming is a potential showdown with Wolves teammate Bradly Nadeau, who last week was invited to Team Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp that will determine its roster for the World Juniors.

Unger Sorum said he “can’t wait” to face Nadeau if it comes to that.

 

 

IMPACT PLAY OF THE WEEK

Wolves rookie defenseman Aleksi Heimosalmi got the stuffed animals soaring from the stands and onto the ice when he scored the Teddy Bear Toss goal during the first period of Saturday night’s game against the Grand Rapids Griffins at Allstate Arena. The stuffed animals were collected and later donated to charities.

 

C.D.E. COLLISION CENTERS’ COLLISION OF THE WEEK

The Wolves’ Aleksi Heimosalmi laid this hit on the Griffins’ Brogan Rafferty during Saturday night’s contest at Allstate Arena.

 

SAVE OF THE WEEK

Goaltender Spencer Martin stoned the Griffins’ William Lagesson on two chances in front to keep the Wolves’ lead at two goals in a game they eventually won 2-1 on Sunday at Allstate Arena.

 

Weekly rewind (2-0-1-0)

FRIDAY, DEC. 6

Wolves 3, Griffins 1: Felix Unger Sorum, Ty Smith and Tyson Jost scored and Bradly Nadeau had two assists to propel the Wolves to the victory over the top team in the Central Division.

SATURDAY, DEC. 7

Griffins 5, Wolves 4 (OT): Ty Smith had two goals, Juha Jaaska a goal and an assist and Aleksi Heimosalmi also scored but Chicago couldn’t hold off the Central Division-leading Griffins in the second of three games in three days between the teams. Elmer Soderblom scored with 19 seconds remaining in overtime to win it for Grand Rapids.

SUNDAY, DEC. 8

Wolves 2, Griffins 1: Noel Gunler and Justin Robidas each scored to provide the offense and goaltender Spencer Martin made 33 saves to help the Wolves take five of a possible six points on the Griffins during the weekend series.

First Star of the Week

Where we stand

9-9-2-0, fourth in the Central Division.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE