Wolf Prowl – March 9, 2012

Darren Haydar started scoring again. The Wolves started winning again. Funny how that works.
(Photo: Chris Jerina/AHL in Photos)

The Wolves’ stuggles continued on Saturday, going down 6-0 to archrival Milwaukee. Matt Climie was in net for all six goals, his worst outing of the season. The Admirals had 18 shots in the first, scoring two goals. The Wolves actually had more shots the rest of the way (21-20) but got no results, while giving up 4 goals the other way. Byron Bitz, Mark Mancari and Adam Polasek were all -3. This was the last visit of the regular season to Milwaukee for the Crimson and Gold.

Sunday was rebound day, as the Wolves knocked off conference-leaders Oklahoma City 4-1. Eddie Lack got the win. Mark Mancari made amends for his tough night against Milwaukee by scoring a hat trick of goals.

The Wolves were given the chance to seize their revenge on Wednesday, as the Admirals made the trip to the Windy City. Chicago made the most of it, winning 5-2. Eddie Lack had another strong start in net, while Anton Rodin scored his first two goals of 2012. The latter, scored in the 3rd period, was the winner.

Chicago is now 32-22-2-3, good for 5th in the West, just one point back of division-leading Charlotte.

Lack is playing outstandingly well, and has been for some time. He’s surrendered just 17 goals against in his last 11 games.

Mancari set up Rodin’s game winner on Wednesday, giving him 4 points in two games.

Darren Haydar scored goals in both wins, the first time he’d scored since January 20th.

Lots of stinkers on Saturday – the aforementioned terrible plus/minuses are representative of the all-around poor effort. All the scorers have been struggling of late, although the two wins show promise that those troubles may be on their way out. 

The powerplay has only scored 3 goals in the last month. With as much talent as they do, it’s rather mystifying why they aren’t having much success.

Monday was roster ‘clear day’ for AHL teams. It’s like the AHL trading deadline; with some exceptions, 22 players must be declared as the team’s roster for the remainder of the season and into the playoffs. Before setting their roster, Wolves GM Wendell Young made one move, bringing in Jordan Henry from the Abbotsford Heat for little used defenceman J.P. Testwuide. Henry’s expected to bring a physical net-clearing presence.

Darren Archibald was returned to Kalamazoo of the ECHL on Monday. He played in two games during his week-long recall, but picked up no points.

Kevin Doell, Ryan Parent and Victor Oreskovich all remain out with injuries, but all three were named to the clear day roster. This can be read two ways: either they are all close to a return, or it’s roster shenanigans. More likely it’s the latter – the team also listed Archibald, Mike Davies, Matt Clackson, Antoine Roussel and Stefan Schneider as ’emergency replacements’, meaning they can be used in the case of injury.

A double header weekend in Charlotte – games Saturday and Sunday against the Checkers – is followed by a mid-week game at home vs Peoria.