AHL Chicago Wolves

Wolves Weekly

Published on January 12, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


THIS WEEK:

Wed., Jan. 14 vs. Toronto Marlies (20-15-1-3) Allstate Arena 7 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 16 at Rockford IceHogs (21-14-0-4) Rockford MetroCentre 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 17 vs. Quad City Flames (15-16-4-3) Allstate Arena 7 p.m.

SECOND WIND

The Wolves opened the second half of the season with a 4-1 loss to Houston on Sunday; Chicago ranks sixth in the West Division with 41 points (19-19-2-1) though 41 games and will face off against division rivals in eight of the next 12 contests.

WOLVES HEADLINES

--- JOE MOTZKO: Named to the PlanetUSA team for the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic for the third straight year on Jan. 7 ... Ranks first on the team and holds second in the AHL with 23 goals in 41 games this season ... Leads the team and shares 11th in the AHL with 38 points ... Paces the club and shares second in the league with 10 power-play markers

--- JEFF HAMILTON: Leads the team with 22 assists and ranks second with 29 points and five power-play goals despite appearing in just 28 games this season ... Tallied at least one point in 20 of his 28 outings with the Wolves, which includes five multiple-point performances - three of which were three or more ... His average of 1.04 points per game ranks first on the team ... Recorded four points (G, 3A) in the last five games

--- SPENCER MACHACEK: Ranks first among team rookies and third on the Wolves with nine markers in 38 contests this year. ... Paces Chicago rookies and shares fourth on the club with 20 points and holds second on the squad with a +12 plus/minus rating ... Posted five points (3G, 2A) in his last six games

--- RILEY HOLZAPFEL: Leads team rookies and is tied for fourth on the club with 13 assists in 40 outings this year ... Holds second among first-year pros and shares sixth on the Wolves with 19 points ... Registered a plus or even rating in eight of the last nine outings on the way to earning a +9 plus/minus rating, which is third-best on the Wolves

WOLF TRACKS

--- Chicago has allowed 30 goals in the second period this year, the third fewest in the AHL and the least in any frame; the Wolves are outscoring opponents by 11 markers in the middle 20 minutes this season.

--- The Wolves gave up a season low one shot in the third period against Peoria on Saturday, one shy of matching a franchise record; Chicago is allowing 28.1 shots per game, which holds eighth in the league.

--- Sunday marked the ninth time in 41 games the Wolves have been held to one or fewer goals; Chicago shares 13th in the league with an average of 2.85 goals per game.

--- The Wolves have tallied a man-advantage marker in nine of the last 10 road contests (12 of 57); Chicago ranks 27th in the league with a 12.3 percent efficiency rating on the power play (27 of 219).

--- Chicago has allowed a power-play goal in five of the last six games; the Wolves rank 29th in the league with an 79.4 percent efficiency rating on the penalty kill (170 of 214).

--- Chicago defenseman GRANT LEWIS paces the club and shares eighth in the AHL with a +15 plus/minus rating; LEWIS has recorded a plus or even rating in 24 of 29 games this season.

READ IT HERE FIRST

--- Wolves defenseman SCOTT LEHMAN will make two library visits on Tuesday as part of the team's Read to Succeed program, sponsored by Pace. LEHMAN will appear at the Sugar Grove Library at 4:30 p.m., and the Aurora Library at 7 p.m. For more information, log on to chicagowolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.

WOLVES REWIND (0-4-0-0)

Sun., Jan. 11 Houston 4, (at) Chicago 1

--- The Wolves mustered just one goal and slipped into a two-goal hole they couldn't climb out of, suffering their seventh straight loss, 4-1, to the Houston Aeros at the Allstate Arena Sunday night.

--- Right wing SPENCER MACHACEK tallied the only goal for Chicago

--- Netminder DAN TURPLE stopped 22 of 25 shots

Sat., Jan. 10 Peoria 3, (at) Chicago 2

--- The Wolves mounted a late comeback but fell short in a 3-2 loss to the Peoria Rivermen at the Allstate Arena Saturday night

--- Right wing JEFF HAMILTON and center STEVE MARTINS potted goals

--- Goaltender ROBERT GHERSON turned aside 14 of 17 shots

Fri., Jan. 9 (at) Rockford 3, Chicago 1

--- The Wolves pulled within one, 2-1, late in the third period but it was too late and an empty net goal sent the Rockford IceHogs away with a 3-1 win at the Rockford MetroCentre Friday night.

--- Right wing SPENCER MACHACEK's power-play marker was the lone goal for Chicago

--- Netminder ROBERT GHERSON posted 33 saves on 35 shots

Wed., Jan. 7 San Antonio 5, (at) Chicago 3

--- The Wolves rallied back to within one, 4-3, but an empty net goal sealed the game to give the San Antonio Rampage a 5-3 win at the Allstate Arena Wednesday night.

--- Left wings JORDAN LaVALLEE (2G) and BRETT STERLING scored for the Wolves

--- Goaltender Dan TURPLE posted 29 saves

Check out the Chicago Wolves Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central