AHL Chicago Wolves

Wolves Weekly

Published on April 26, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


WOLVES REWIND (2-0-0-0)

Fri., April 23 Chicago 8, (at) Grand Rapids 2
--The Wolves registered a postseason franchise-record with eight goals en route to an 8-2 victory, clinching the West Division Semifinal with a 4-games-to-0 sweep of the Grand Rapids Griffins at the Allstate Arena
--Left wing ZDENEK BLATNY (3A) and right wing STEPHEN BABY (G, 2A) each contributed three points
--Left wing BRIAN MALONEY (G, A), center TOMMI SANTALA (2A) and defenseman MIKE WEAVER (G, A) all added two points
--Left wing ERIC HEALEY and defenseman GREG HAWGOOD rounded out the scoring for Chicago
--Goaltender KARI LEHTONEN notched 30 saves to remain unbeaten in the postseason

Wed., April 21 (at) Chicago 4, Grand Rapids 1
--The Wolves gave up the first goal of the game but responded with four unanswered tallies to defeat the Grand Rapids Griffins, 4-1, at the Allstate Arena
--Left wing STEVE MALTAIS recorded four points (2G, 2A), while linemates DANIEL CORSO and TOMMI SANTALA each added a goal and an assist
--Defenseman SHAWN HEINS tallied two assists in the win
--Goaltender KARI LEHTONEN registered 29 saves

WOLVES TO WATCH

KARI LEHTONEN: Allowed just six goals in four games against the Griffins in the West Division Semifinal, posting a 1.50 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage ... Shares the AHL-lead with four playoff wins ... Ranks fifth in the league with 117 saves ... Tied for third in the AHL with one shutout

DEREK MacKENZIE: Shares the league-lead with a team-most four postseason goals, which includes Game 1's shorthanded game-winner in overtime ... Ranked third on the club during the regular season with a career-high 19 goals ... Recorded points in three of four games in the division semifinal, posting five points (4G, A) in the series, which is tied for the most on the team ... Leads the team and shares fourth in the league with 21 shots, including a team-high seven in Game 4

SHAWN HEINS: Shares the league-lead and paces AHL blueliners with a +7 plus/minus rating ... Tied for first among AHL blueliners and first on the team with five points ... Shares first among league defensemen with a team-leading four assists

STEVE MALTAIS: Tied for first on the team with five points (2G, 3A), including a team-high four points (2G, 2A) in Game 3 of the division semifinal ... Shares second on the club with three assists

ERIC HEALEY: Ranks second on the club with three goals and shares fourth on the team with four points ... Tied for the team-lead with a .500 shooting percentage (three goals on six shots) ... Led the league during the regular season with a .270 shooting percentage (31 goals on 115 shots)

TOMMI SANTALA: Shares second on the club with three assists and fourth on the team with four points ... Registered back-to-back two-point games in Game 3 (G, A) and Game 4 (2A)

MIKE WEAVER: Ranks second among AHL blueliners and tied for third in the league and with a +6 plus/minus rating, second-best on the team ... Ranked second on the club during the regular season with a +21 plus/minus rating ...Ranks second among team blueliners with three points (G, 2A)

WOLF TRACKS


--The Wolves recorded the team's fourth sweep in franchise history in the West Division Semifinal against the Grand Rapids Griffins, advancing past the first round for the eighth time in the team's 10-year existence.
--The Wolves have won 11 of their last 12 games, dating back to March 27.
--Chicago outscored the Griffins, 12 to 3, in two games on home ice.
--Overall, the Wolves lead the AHL in postseason scoring, averaging 4.25 goals per contest.
--Chicago shares second in the AHL defensively, allowing an average of 1.50 goals per game in the playoffs.
--The Wolves' eight goals in Game 4 are the most in a playoff game in the AHL this year.

A+ FOR APRIL

The Wolves are 9-1 (.900) in April this year, the best April record in team history; prior to this year, the team's 8-1 mark (.889) in 1997-98 stood as the Wolves' best April record.

NOTABLE

Chicago improved to 12-4 (.750) all-time in a best-of-seven series with the victory in the West Division Semifinal; the Wolves are 42-20 (.677) all-time on home ice in the postseason with its best home record of 12-2 (.857) coming in 2002.

ADMIRALS-MIGHTY DUCKS REMAINING SCHEDULE

Mon., April 26 Milwaukee at Cincinnati Cincinnati Gardens Wed., April 28 Milwaukee at Cincinnati Cincinnati Gardens *Fri., April 30 Cincinnati at Milwaukee Bradley Center *Game 7 TBD *If Necessary Cincinnati at Milwaukee Bradley Center

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American Hockey League Stories from April 26, 2004


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