AHL Chicago Wolves

Wolves Weekly

March 29, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


WOLVES REWIND (1-2-0-0)

Sat., March 27 (at) Chicago 4, Milwaukee 2

--Center DEREK MacKENZIE tallied a hat trick as the Wolves defeated the league-leading Milwaukee Admirals, 4-2, at the Allstate Arena
--Left wing ZDENEK BLATNY notched the power-play game-winner
--Goaltender FREDERIC CASSIVI turned aside 39 shots in the win

Sat., March 26 (at) Cincinnati 5, Chicago 3

--The Wolves allowed four unanswered goals in a 5-3 loss against the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at Cincinnati Gardens
--Defenseman SHAWN HEINS recorded a power-play goal
--Left wing STEVE MALTAIS and defenseman MIKE WEAVER added even-strength goals for the Wolves
--Netminder FREDERIC CASSIVI registered 30 saves in the loss

Wed., March 24 (at) Cleveland 7, Chicago 4

--The Cleveland Barons rattled off four goals in the first period and three in the third at Gund Arena to earn its second win in 10 tries against the Wolves
--Center BRIAN MALONEY notched a season-high two goals
--Center BRENDAN YAREMA and left wing ZDENEK BLATNY each contributed a power-play marker
--Goaltender MICHAEL GARNETT posted 24 saves

WOLVES TO WATCH

DEREK MacKENZIE: Notched his first professional hat trick on Saturday against Milwaukee ... Registered four points (3G, A) in his last two games ... Ranks third on the team with a career-high 18 goals and shares sixth on the club with a career-most 34 points in 56 games

STEVE MALTAIS: Currently on a three-game point streak (G, 2A) ... Leads the team and ranks third in the AHL with 14 power-play goals ... Shares 17th in the league with a team-most 56 points (28G, 28A) in 69 games this season

JIM CAMPBELL: Has registered four points (2G, 2A) in his last six games, which includes power-play goals in back-to-back games on March 19 and 20 ... Posted eight goals, 12 assists and 20 points in 38 games with Chicago

ZDENEK BLATNY: Recorded three points (2G, A) in as many games last week, which includes his fourth game-winner of the season ... Ranks second on the team in game-winning tallies ... Ranks fifth on the team with a career-most 23 assists and shares sixth on the Wolves with a career-high 34 points (11G, 23A) in 54 games

KARL STEWART: Ranks third among AHL rookies and shares first on the Wolves with 31 assists ... Shares 11th among league first-year pros and ranks fourth on the team with 39 points in 65 games this season ... Ranks fourth among AHL rookies with a team-best +19 plus/minus rating

BOB NARDELLA: Notched three assists in as many games last week, which includes two against Cleveland on March 24 ... Notched 38 assists and 45 points in 44 games with the Rockford IceHogs of the United Hockey League before signing with Chicago on March 17

WOLF TRACKS

--The Wolves share second in the league with 22 wins at home this season despite being tied for the fewest home games (35) this season; overall, Chicago ranks second in the Western Conference with a division-leading .686 winning percentage on home ice.
--Chicago will play five of its last seven regular-season games at the Allstate Arena, which includes three of four this week.
--The Wolves are outscoring their rivals, 119 to 79, at home this season; Chicago¹s 119 goals at home are the fourth-most in the league.
--The Wolves rank third in the league with an average of 3.04 goals per game; Chicago has tallied 222 goals this season, second-most in the AHL.

68

Number of power-play goals the Wolves have registered this season, the most in the AHL; overall, the Wolves rank fourth in the league on the power play at 17.3 percent (68 of 394).

NOTABLE

With seven games remaining in the regular season for each of the top three West Division teams, Chicago stands just six points behind the second-place Grand Rapids Griffins; the Wolves have only divisional games remaining, which includes two head-to-head bouts with the Griffins this week.

THIS WEEK

Wed., March 31 vs. San Antonio Rampage Allstate Arena 7:00 p.m.

Fri., April 2 at Grand Rapids Griffins Van Andel Arena 6:30 p.m.

Sat., April 3 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins Allstate Arena 7:00 p.m.

Sun., April 4 vs. San Antonio Rampage Allstate Arena 4:00 p.m.

ALL GAMES ARE BROADCAST ON COMCAST

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American Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2004


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