Vegas Golden Knights: December update on the Chicago Wolves

We’re in December so we thought it was about time to check in on the Vegas Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.

We obviously dedicate a lot of our time to the Vegas Golden Knights, but we thought it was the right time to start giving some love to the Wolves.

After all, Chicago did reach the finals of the Calder Cup last year, although they are suffering from a bit of a hangover this season.

As it stands, the Wolves are currently sixth in the Central Division with an 11-14-2 record after 27 games.

They have scored 68 goals but allowed 83 and the Wolves have a long way to go if they are to hit the same heights as last year.

The Chicago Wolves just played a back-to-back double-header against the Manitoba Moose, losing 3-1 on Friday before gaining a small measure of revenge with a 4-2 win on Saturday.

The Wolves have lost six of their last nine outings, and they face a home-and-home double-header against the Milwaukee Admirals later this week.

CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 21: Chicago Wolves center Lucas Elvenes (25) and Chicago Wolves defenceman Dylan Coghlan (15) on the ice during the second period of the American Hockey League game between the Chicago Wolves and Cleveland Monsters on November 21,2019, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Leading the way

It is time to take a look at the players who have been lighting it up for the Chicago Wolves in 2019-20…

Lucas Elvenes – The forward has been the most potent offensive threat for the Wolves so far this year, tallying 27 points (seven goals, 20 assists) in 27 games.

He’s been getting it done from a production standpoint, although the forward does have a plus/minus rating of -7.

Elvenes has 10 penalty minutes, three power play points and a shooting percentage of 20.6, so it has been a productive year for the forward so far.

And, to round this off with a nice bow, Elvenes is currently ranked fifth in points and third in assists in the entire American Hockey League.

Curtis McKenzie – The power forward continues to be an offensive juggernaut for the Wolves this season, with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) through 27 games, with three of those points coming on the power play.

McKenzie is a -6 with 26 PIM’s and 75 shots on goal.

Brandon Pirri – The forward was sent down to the AHL after recording just one point in the big leagues with the Vegas Golden Knights, and he’s thrived in the minors.

Through nine games, Pirri has potted three goals and tallied five assists for eight points with the Wolves, providing them with some secondary scoring.

CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 22: Chicago Wolves center Brandon Pirri (27) on the ice during the third period of the American Hockey League game between the Chicago Wolves and Cleveland Monsters on November 22,2019, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH.(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Nicolas Roy – The bottom six center, who beat the Wolves in the Calder Cup Finals with the Charlotte Checkers last year, has been up and down between the AHL and the NHL this season.

While he has impressed in flashes with the Knights, he has been a steady producer for the Wolves so far this year.

Through 14 games Roy has two goals and six assists for eight points with a -7 rating and eight penalty minutes.

Garret Sparks – The goaltender hasn’t quite worked it out in the National Hockey League yet, but he has been a constant success in the AHL.

After winning the Calder Cup with the Toronto Marlies in 2017-18, Sparks has been dominant in the American Hockey League again this year.

In 14 games, Sparks has a 2.46 Goals Against Average and a .923 Save Percentage, while he set a franchise record for Chicago for the longest shutout streak earlier this year.

Sparks went 191:14 minutes without allowing a goal over the span of four games, turning away 115 shots during a streak that began on Oct. 23 against the Texas Stars.

He beat a streak previously set by Matt Climie (173:57) in January, 2013.

CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 21: Chicago Wolves defenceman Jake Bischoff (28) passes the puck during the third period of the American Hockey League game between the Chicago Wolves and Cleveland Monsters on November 21,2019, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Prospects

Let’s revisit preseason when there was an almighty battle raging for one final roster spot on the blueline with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Nic Hague, Jimmy Schuldt, Jake Bischoff, Dylan Coghlan and Zach Whitecloud slugging it out, with Hague ultimately coming out on top.

The other four are now back with the Wolves with Coghlan leading all Chicago defensemen in points with 12 (five goals, seven assists), while Schuldt is right behind his teammate with four goals and seven assists for 11 points.

Whitecloud has recovered from injury to tally three points (one goal, two assists) in 16 games, and Jake Bischoff has three assists for three points in 20 games.

Next. Should Zykov be given a second chance?. dark

That’s it for our December update on the Chicago Wolves, and we’ll be back with another update before Christmas.

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