Wolf Prowl – November 17th, 2011

Going into Friday’s tilt, the Wolves had won two straight and looking to have righted the ship defensively. Against Milwaukee the offence exploded for 6 goals but the Admirals also managed 37 shots on Matt Climie. The Wolves have struggled defensively all season against their highyl-rated Wisconsin enemies. The penalty kill was perfect, going 0-for-5, while the power play picked up a second period goal (by Kevin Connauton) on the man advantage. After going down 3-2 midway through the second period, the Wolves scored four straight goals to take the game home. The Wolves used their speed to find holes in the Milwaukee defensive line.

Kevin Connauton scored two goals and was named the game’s 1st star. His first goal came on a breakaway right after the Wolves had killed off his penalty. An alert Stefan Schneider fired the puck down the Connauton just as he left the box. Schneider was solid on the pk and finished +3. The ever-present Darren Haydar picked up two more assists, including a nifty give-and-go on Nathan Longpre‘s goal. Haydar was the 3rd star. Mark Mancari fired another five shots on net, finally bagging his 3rd goal of the season after forcing a turnover at the Wolves’ blueline and flying down the ice on a breakaway. Mancari, who also picked up an assist on Mike Duco‘s late goal, scored 32 last year for Portland. Mancari forced yet another turnover just as Admirals goalie Jeremy Smith was heading to the bench and Duco basically had an empty net to fire at. Ryan Parent was +4 in his first game since October 14th.

Despite his two-goal effort, Connauton and his defensive partner Nolan Baumgartner managed to be on the ice for all three Milwaukee goals. Anton Rodin had no shots and was a -1. Jordan Schroeder was -2, though he was hauled down on a half-breakaway.

Adam Polasek was scratched to make way for Parent. Steve Reinprecht is now in Chicago, but, it turns out, has some sort of foot ailment. He’s been seen in a walking cast and is expected to be out till at least December. Victor Oreshkovich remains out, as is Chris Tanev. JP Testuwide was recalled from Missouri (CHL). Eddie Lack spent Wednesday in Vancouver, backing up Corey Schneider. Lack has now returned to Chicago.

Last Friday’s lineup:

The Wolves (6-5-0-2) play in Milwaukee, again, on Friday night. This will be the fifth of twelve meetings between the two teams this season. Chicago, home for the first time since the end of October, hosts San Antonio (5-9-0-0) on Saturday night. The Wolves have now scored 32 goals and given up just 31 in 13 games.