AHL Chicago Wolves

Wolves Weekly

January 5, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


WOLVES REWIND (2-1-1-0)

Sun., Jan. 4 (at) Toronto 5, Chicago 4

--The Wolves rallied late in the game but time ran out on them in a 5-4 loss against the Toronto Roadrunners at the Ricoh Coliseum
--Goaltender KARI LEHTONEN posted 18 saves before being replaced by FREDERIC CASSIVI, who was credited with the loss after allowing one goal on 13 shots
--Rookie KARL STEWART paced the Wolves with three points (G, 2A), while left wing ERIC HEALEY (G, A) and center BRIAN SWANSON (2A) also added multiple points

Sat., Jan. 3 (at) Chicago 4, Houston 2

--The Wolves rallied from a two-goal deficit with four unanswered goals to overturn the Houston Aeros, 4-2, at the Allstate Arena
--Left wing STEVE MALTAIS tallied the game-winner in the third period
--Defenseman GREG HAWGOOD notched a season-high three assists, while defenseman KURTIS FOSTER recorded a power-play marker and defenseman MIKE WEAVER earned his first goal of the year
--Goaltender FREDERIC CASSIVI registered 31 saves in the win

Fri., Jan. 2 (at) Chicago 4, Grand Rapids 1

--The Wolves scored the first four goals of the game to topple the Grand Rapids Griffins, 4-1, at the Allstate Arena
--Goaltender KARI LEHTONEN turned aside 38 shots
--Left wing ERIC HEALEY tallied the game-winner in the second period
--Center DEREK MacKENZIE posted a short-handed goal, while left wings STEVE MALTAIS and KARL STEWART each added a marker

Tue., Dec. 30 (at) Houston 2, Chicago 2

--The Wolves fell behind twice but refused to give in, battling the Houston Aeros to a 2-2 stalemate at the Toyota Center
--Goaltender KARI LEHTONEN turned aside 32 shots
--Defenseman KURTIS FOSTER registered a power-play marker
--Center TOMMI SANTALA earned the game-tying goal late in the third period

WOLVES TO WATCH

KARL STEWART: Leads the league with a +19 plus/minus rating ... Shares second among AHL rookies with a team-leading 16 assists ... Tied for sixth among league rookies with 21 points (5G, 16A), which is tied for third on the Wolves ... Currently on a three-game point streak (Jan. 2 - present), tallying five points (2G, 3A) during that span, which includes a season-high three points (G, 2A) on Sunday against Toronto

ERIC HEALEY: Registered his team-leading 12th goal of the season on Sunday in his first two-point (G, A) outing since Nov. 22 ... Notched four points (2G, 2A) in as many games last week ... Ranks second on the team with 22 points

KURTIS FOSTER: Pacces AHL defensemen with a Wolves-leading five power-play goals ... Paces Wolves blueliners and shares second among AHL defensemen with seven goals ... Ended a season-high six-game point streak on Sunday, posting six points (4G, 2A) during that span

GREG HAWGOOD: Leads Wolves blueliners with 13 assists and 16 points ... Shares third overall on the team in assists and ranks seventh overall in points

STEVE MALTAIS: Notched three points (2G, A) last week. ... Leads the Wolves with 25 points.. Ranks second on the team with 14 assists and four power-play tallies ... Shares second on the club with 11 goals

BRIAN SWANSON: Recorded four points (4A) in as many games last week, which includes recording a season-high two assists on Sunday against Toronto ... Shares third on the team with 13 assists and 21 points in 37 games

KARI LEHTONEN: Currently on a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1-0) ... Shares third in the AHL with 12 wins ... Leads the team with a .926 save percentage and a 2.44 goals-against average ... Held his opponents to two or fewer goals in five of his last six outings

WOLF TRACKS

--The Wolves are currently on a season-high four-game home winning streak and have posted points in six of their last seven contests (4-1-2-0).

--Chicago ranks second in the West Division and fourth in the Western Conference with 41 points in 37 games this season.

--The Wolves are tied for the second-most home wins (8) in the division despite being tied for the fewest home games played (15)

--Chicago has registered at least three goals in six of its last seven games; overall, the Wolves notched 25 goals in the last seven games (averaging 3.57 goals per game during that span) after recording just nine goals in its previous seven contests (1.29 tallies per game).

--Overall, the Wolves rank seventh in the AHL in scoring, averaging 2.73 goals per game.

ROAD KILL

The Wolves' penalty-killing unit ranks second in the league on the road at 90.1 percent (109 of 121); overall, Chicago ranks 11th in the AHL on the penalty kill at 87.2 percent (177 of 203).

NOTABLE

The Chicago Wolves will collect new or used youth hockey equipment at three home games in January for donation to Gunzo's Urban Hockey Initiative, which gives city kids an opportunity to get off the streets and onto the ice. Fans who bring new or used equipment to the Chevy display in the Southeast or North Lobby of the Allstate Arena on Wed., Jan. 7; Fri, Jan. 10; or Sat., Jan. 11 will receive a free ticket to a future Wolves game.

THIS WEEK

Wed., Jan. 7 vs, Utah Grizzlies Allstate Arena 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 11 vs. Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Allstate Arena 7:00 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 12 vs. Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Allstate Arena 3:00 p.m.

ALL GAMES ARE BROADCAST ON COMCAST

Log on to www.chicagowolves.com and click on the "Listen" icon for audio webcast

Check out the Chicago Wolves Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2004


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