AHL Chicago Wolves

Wolves Weekly Press Notes

Published on March 31, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


BERTH DAY BOYS

Chicago clinched a berth in the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs last week, marking the 13th time in 14 years the squad has qualified for the postseason. The Wolves are one point away from securing home ice in the first round and two points from clinching their first West Division title since 2004-05.

WOLVES HEADLINERS

--- JASON KROG: Leads the AHL in assists (65) and points (100) and shares first with 35 goals in 72 games this season ... Collected his 100th point of the year with an assist in Sunday's win, becoming just the fourth player in franchise history to crack the 100-point mark in a season ... Tallied at least one point in 56 of his 72 tilts this season, which includes 30 with two or more

--- ONDREJ PAVELEC: Earned his 30th victory of the season on Sunday, becoming just the third goaltender in franchise history to reach that plateau ... Leads active AHL netminders with 30 wins (30-13-3) and has racked up a 2.67 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in 46 appearances this season

--- JOE MOTZKO: Registered four points (G, 3A) in three games last week, which includes a goal and an assist on Sunday ... Collected 16 points (3G, 13A) in 16 outings with the Wolves since being acquired on Feb. 26 ... Ranks second on the club and is tied for 11th in the AHL with 64 points in 64 games, which includes 48 points (21G, 27A) in 48 tilts with the Hershey Bears

--- BRETT STERLING: Notched a goal and an assist in the last two matchups after being held without a point in a season-high four straight games ... Ranks third in the AHL with 34 goals and holds fourth on the squad and is tied for 19th in the AHL with 60 points in 62 outings

--- KEVIN DOELL: Recorded a goal and an assist on Sunday after missing the previous three games due to injury ... Shares the lead among active Wolves with a +16 plus/minus rating ... Netted 14 goals and 28 points in 60 games this season after posting 14 markers and 33 points in 80 contests with Chicago last season

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

--- Sunday's 6-4 win over Grand Rapids pushed Chicago to 101 points in the standings, marking the sixth time in franchise history - and third in the last four years - the squad cracked the century mark.

--- Chicago's .701 winning percentage (48-19-2-3) is on pace to set a franchise record; the 1999-2000 Turner Cup Championship squad holds the top mark with a .695 winning percentage.

--- The Wolves rank second in the AHL with 48 wins and are tied for second with 101 points, the most in team history through 72 games.

--- With eight games remaining in its regular season, Chicago holds an 11-point cushion over Rockford for the West Division lead with two contests in hand.

--- Beginning Tuesday, the Wolves will play three straight matchups on the road and five of their final eight regular-season tilts away from the Allstate Arena; Chicago's .671 winning percentage on the road ranks third in the AHL (22-10-1-2).

--- Left wing JORDAN LaVALLEE was recalled by the Atlanta Thrashers on Sunday, marking the ninth time a Wolves player has been summoned to the NHL this season.

YOU SIX-Y THING

Sunday marked the 11th time this season the Wolves potted at least six goals in a game; Chicago leads the AHL with 268 markers and an average of 3.72 tallies per game after pacing the league with a franchise record 331 goals in 2006-07.

WOLVES REWIND (1-1-0-1)

Sun., March 30
(at) Chicago 6, Grand Rapids 4
--- The Wolves scored five times in the opening 16:36 of the game and held on for a 6-4 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins at the Allstate Arena
--- Six different Wolves lit the lamp for Chicago, including forwards KEVIN DOELL, JOE MOTZKO and JESSE SCHULTZ, who each collected two points (G, A)
--- Netminder ONDREJ PAVELEC posted 31 saves

Sat., March 29
Houston 4, (at) Chicago 3
--- Trailing 4-0 midway through the contest, Chicago stormed back with three straight goals but could not tally the equalizer en route to dropping a 4-3 decision to the Houston Aeros at the Allstate Arena
--- Forwards JOEY CRABB, DARREN HAYDAR and STEVE MARTINS all lit the lamp for Chicago, while ONDREJ PAVELEC (12 saves on 16 shots) and ROBERT GHERSON (20 saves on 20 shots) split time in between the pipes.

Fri., March 28
(at) Rockford 3, Chicago 2 (SO)
--- The Wolves tallied with 4:54 remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime before falling, 3-2, in the shootout against the Rockford IceHogs at the Rockford MetroCentre
--- Captain DARREN HAYDAR scored both goals in regulation with assists from linemates JASON KROG and JOE MOTZKO
--- Goaltender ONDREJ PAVELEC recorded 22 saves on 24 shots in regulation and overtime and thwarted three of six shootout attempts

THIS WEEK

Tue., April 1
at Manitoba Moose (42-25-2-4)
MTS Centre
7:30 p.m.

Wed., April 2
at Manitoba Moose (42-25-2-4)
MTS Centre
7:30 p.m.

Sat., April 5
at Peoria Rivermen (36-28-4-5)
Carver Arena
7:00 p.m.

Sun., April 6
vs. Quad City Flames (33-30-2-7)
Allstate Arena
3:00 p.m.

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 March 31, 2008


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