AHL Chicago Wolves

Wolves Weekly Notes

Published on April 7, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


CONFERENCE CALL

The Wolves, who have already clinched the West Division title, enter the final week of the regular season with a four-point lead over the Toronto Marlies for the best record in the Western Conference; Chicago can clinch the top mark in the conference with a regulation win over Toronto when the teams face off at Ricoh Coliseum on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

WOLVES HEADLINERS

--- JASON KROG: Leads the AHL with 68 assists and 104 points and shares first with 36 goals in 76 games entering the final week of the regular season ... Posted three assists in his last two games and has registered at least one point in 59 of his 76 tilts this year ... Attempting to become the second straight Wolves player to earn a league scoring title and seventh all-time in 14 years

--- JOE MOTZKO: Recorded five points (3G, 2A) in the last two games, which includes netting two of Chicago's three goals on Sunday ... Registered 22 points (6G, 16A) and a +9 plus/minus in 20 games with Chicago after joining the squad on Feb. 26, which includes his first three-point effort (G, 2A) in Saturday's win ... Ranks second on the Wolves and 11th in the AHL with 70 points, 48 of which (21G, 27A) were notched as a member of the Hershey Bears

--- ONDREJ PAVELEC: Recorded the second shutout of his professional career on Sunday ... Held opponents to one or fewer goals 15 times this season, 13 of which have been since Feb. 8 ... Leads AHL rookies and ranks second overall with 32 wins in 49 games this season (32-14-3), tied for the second-highest single-season total in club history

--- BRETT STERLING: Shares first in the AHL with 36 goals in 66 games this season after pacing the league with 55 markers during his rookie debut in 2006-07 ... Posted four points (2G, 2A) in his last two games, which includes his eighth two-goal game of the season on Saturday ... Shares third on the team and 15th in the AHL with 64 points

For complete team statistics, click here http://stats.theahl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&subType=3&season_id=12&&leagueId=4&lastActive=&singleSeason=

WOLF TRACKS

--- The Wolves will host Games 1 and 2 of the West Division Semifinal at the Allstate Arena on Wed., April 16 at 7 p.m., and Fri., April 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Chicago will battle either the Houston Aeros, Milwaukee Admirals, Rockford IceHogs or San Antonio Rampage.

--- Chicago's .704 winning percentage is on pace to establish a franchise record and surpass the 1999-2000 club's .695 mark (53-21-8).

--- The Wolves' 51 victories rank second in the AHL and mark the third time in franchise history the squad has cracked the 50-win mark; the 1997-98 (55) and 1999-2000 (53) clubs - which both captured league championships - also reached the 50-win mark during the regular-season.

--- The Wolves lead the AHL with 283 goals entering the final week of the regular-season; Chicago paced the league with a franchise record 331 markers in 2006-07.

--- Sunday's 3-0 win over the Quad City Flames marked Chicago's fourth shutout victory of the season and first since Feb. 10; goaltenders ONDREJ PAVELEC and ROBERT GHERSON have each posted two shutouts this season.

A FAN-TASTIC FINISH

The Wolves will host their annual Fan Appreciation Weekend when they close out their regular-season slate at the Allstate Arena on Sat., April 12, at 7 p.m., and Sun., April 13, at 3 p.m. Every fan who enters the arena will receive a scratch-and-win card, which guarantees a prize, including the grand prize of a Funjet Vacations trip for two to Cancun/Riviera Maya, Mexico, with accommodations at the all-inclusive Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort. For more information, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.

WOLVES REWIND (3-1-0-0)

Sun., April 6
(at) Chicago 3, Quad City 0
--- Goaltender ONDREJ PAVELEC recorded 36 saves in his second shutout performance of the season and right wing JOE MOTZKO scored twice to lift the Wolves to a 3-0 win over the Quad City Flames at the Allstate Arena
--- Defenseman SCOTT LEHMAN netted Chicago's other goal

Sat., April 5
Chicago 6, (at) Peoria 4
--- Chicago opened up a 3-1 lead 3:57 into the contest before earning a 6-4 victory over the Peoria Rivermen at Carver Arena
--- Forwards BRETT STERLING (2G, A) and JOE MOTZKO (G, 2A) each posted a game-high three points, while right wing JESSE SCHULTZ also netted two goals.
--- Goaltender ONDREJ PAVELEC notched 25 saves on 29 shots

Wed., April 2
(at) Manitoba 4, Chicago 1
--- The Wolves surrendered three straight goals on the way to losing, 4-1, to the Manitoba Moose at the MTS Centre
--- Left wing COLIN STUART netted Chicago's only goal while netminder ONDREJ PAVELEC posted 18 saves on 21 shots in the loss

Tue., April 1
Chicago 5, (at) Manitoba 4
--- Chicago rode a four-goal second-period en route to clinching the West Division title with a 5-4 win over the Manitoba Moose at the MTS Centre
--- Center KEVIN DOELL led the way with three points (2G, A) for the Wolves, who opened up a 5-2 lead before holding off the Moose
--- Goaltender ROBERT GHERSON collected 24 saves on 28 shots

THIS WEEK

Wed., April 9
at Toronto Marlies (47-20-3-6)
Ricoh Coliseum
6:30 p.m.

Fri., April 11
at Rockford IceHogs (42-24-4-6)
Rockford MetroCentre
7:30 p.m.

Sat., April 12
vs. Rockford IceHogs (42-24-4-6)
Allstate Arena
7:00 p.m.

Sun., April 13
vs. Peoria Rivermen (36-31-4-5)
Allstate Arena
3:00 p.m.

END OF REGULAR SEASON

ALL GAMES WILL BE TELECAST LIVE ON COMCAST
To watch or listen to the action live online, log on to www.chicagowolves.com

Check out the Chicago Wolves Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2008


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