STREAKING UP THE STANDINGS

December 19, 2024

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TY SMITH & CO. ARE ROLLING

With victories in four consecutive games and in nine of their last 12—as well as riding a current six-game points streak—the Wolves are the hottest team in the Central Division.

Not coincidentally, several Wolves players have put together individual streaks during the torrid stretch, including defenseman Ty Smith’s recent run of points in seven games in a row—tied for longest on the team this season.

“The team is playing well right now and that’s probably the biggest thing,” Smith said. “Usually, when a team has success individual success follows. It’s been nice to get the wins. The guys have been working really hard to improve our game and it’s been a good stretch for us.”

Smith, who had his points streak snapped during the Wolves’ 4-1 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday at Allstate Arena, has been a catalyst on the back end.

During his streak, the 24-year-old had three goals and six assists. In 10 games with the Wolves, Smith has been a point-per-game player with three goals and seven assists. He also leads the Wolves with a plus-9 plus-minus rating, a strong indicator of a player’s performance at both ends of the ice.

“It always helps when you can chip in offensively from the back end,” Smith said. “We’ve had some guys doing it and it’s been helping so hopefully we can kind of keep it going.”

Smith has been able to maintain consistent play despite a roller-coaster season that has had him recalled to Carolina of the NHL and returned to the Wolves on five separate occasions.

He said to maintain his rhythm he puts in extra effort in practices.

“When I’m up there (In Carolina) I’m not playing so I’m just really working on areas of my game when I have the chance with extra ice,” Smith said. “I’m trying to raise my compete level in practice to kind of get me ready for games.”

Back to the streaking Wolves, forward Ryan Suzuki is in the midst of his own seven-game points streak. Suzuki has assists in seven games in a row and a total of two goals and nine helpers during the span.

“I’m just playing fast and winning puck battles,” Suzuki said. “When you win those, you’re getting the puck more and when I have the puck with time I’m trying to make plays. Guys are scoring for me right now, which is always good. I just love setting up teammates and seeing them smile.”

Other notable current streaks include forward Juha Jaaska (five-game points streak) and goaltender Spencer Martin (personal four-game win streak and helping the Wolves earn at least one point in six of his previous starts).

NICK SWANEY EYES RETURN

If not for bad luck on the ice, Wolves forward Nick Swaney might have no luck.

After being limited to just seven games while as a member of the Iowa Wild last season due to a back injury, Swaney has run into injury issues with the Wolves.

The 27-year-old signed a one-year AHL contract with the Wolves on Aug. 2 but has appeared in only six games due to two separate injuries.

Swaney played in the Wolves’ first four games of the season but suffered a concussion against the Milwaukee Admirals on Oct. 25 and missed the next 10 contests.

When he returned, Swaney appeared in two games before suffering a broken finger in practice that has sidelined him the previous seven games.

There is light at the end of the tunnel as Swaney has been practicing with teammates and is targeting a return to the lineup after the upcoming Christmas break.

“It’s been very frustrating,” Swaney said of his spate of injuries. “After not playing much last season and coming into this season feeling ready to go and 100 percent, I got dealt with a couple of injuries and I’m just trying to stay positive through it all. I know that I’ll heal and I’ll be ready to make a good push in the second half. We have a lot of games left, which is good.”

Swaney said maintaining a positive outlook through the setbacks “is kind of just a mindset thing.”

“You can let your emotions get the best of you and you can go down a bad path thinking, ‘Why me? Why is it happening again?’ but for me, fortunately and unfortunately, I’ve been through it now a couple of times and you kind of find the things that keep you motivated. Being around the guys for me is such a huge thing. It’s coming to the rink and trying to be as big a part of the team as you can because sometimes when you’re hurt you kind of feel isolated a little bit. It’s good to be around the guys and stay positive.”

When the Wolves return from the Christmas break Dec. 27 against the Admirals in Milwaukee, they will have 47 games remaining in the season. Swaney believes that is ample time to make an impact.

“One-hundred percent,” Swaney said. “Coming back from my last injury I felt really good and confident and I know coming back from this injury I’ll feel the same way. I’ll just try to help the team however I can and keep this little run that we’ve had going.”

 

IMPACT PLAY OF THE WEEK

Justin Robidas set off a raucous celebration with teammates after notching the game-winner off a terrific pass from Bradly Nadeau–in overtime of the Wolves’ 5-4 win over the Stars on Friday night in Texas.

 

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

During Wednesday’s game at Allstate Arena, Wolves forward Cam Hausinger delivered this stiff-arm to the Milwaukee Admirals’ Ozzy Wiesblatt to send him flying.

 

SAVE OF THE WEEK

Arguably the biggest save of the week didn’t come from a Wolves goaltender, but teammate Ryan Suzuki. During Saturday night’s 4-3 victory over the Stars in Texas, the forward helped bail out Wolves netminder Ruslan Khazheyev with this brilliant skate save.

 

Weekly rewind (3-0-0-0)

FRIDAY, DEC. 13

Wolves 5, Stars 4 (OT): Justin Robidas scored two goals—including the game-winner in overtime—and added two assists to propel the Wolves to their second triumph in a row. Domenick Fensore added a goal and two assists and Juha Jaaska and Josiah Slavin also scored.

SATURDAY, DEC. 14

Wolves 4, Stars 3: Scott Morrow scored the game-winner in the third period and Ryan Suzuki, Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum each had a goal and an assist to help the Wolves extend their points streak to five contests.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18

Wolves 4, Admirals 1: Skyler Brind’Amour scored two goals, Ryan Suzuki had a goal and an assist and Juha Jaaska also scored as the Wolves won their fourth in a row in front of a sold-out Allstate Arena crowd.

First Star of the Week

Where we stand

12-9-2-0, fourth in the Central Division.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE