The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Roadrunners return home this weekend looking to make a strong push into the All-Star break.
The Roadrunners will face the Chicago Wolves both Friday and Saturday night at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Arena. The Wolves are the American Hockey League affiliate of the newly formed Vegas Golden Knights franchise. This is the only time this season that Chicago will play in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
“We’ve watched a lot of film on them lately, and they’re playing well,†Roadrunners coach Mike Van Ryn said.
“They’re an older team with a lot of guys with a lot of experience and a lot of NHL experience on that team, too.â€
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ should enter the series as the favorite. The Roadrunners lead the AHL’s Pacific Division with a .635 winning percentage, while Chicago is middle of the pack in the Central Division with a .570 mark.
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The Roadrunners faced the Wolves in Chicago earlier this season. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won the first game, then lost the second in overtime.
“Obviously we’ve played these guys before, but not as many times as we’ve played everyone else so it’s nice to play some unfamiliar faces,†forward Dylan Strome said. “Hopefully we can beat ’em.â€
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is expected to be at full strength this weekend with Nick Merkley back in the lineup. Merkley has been recovering from an upper body injury suffered earlier this month.
He practiced throughout the week.
Merkley is the team leader in goals (18) and ranks second behind Strome in points.
“We’re definitely excited to get him back,†Van Ryn said. “He’s been a big part of our offense and contributes on our power play.â€
Merkley is expected to compete in the AHL All-Star Weekend, which begins Sunday in Utica, New York. Merkley, Strome, and Kyle Capobianco will represent ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on the ice, while Van Ryn was selected as one of the coaches. Former Roadrunner Craig Cunningham will serve as an honorary captain.
The rest of the Roadrunners, meanwhile, will receive a three-day rest period.
“It’s an organizational thing,†Van Ryn said. “Kudos to our scouting staff for having found players who have that caliber of play and to the players.â€
The All-Star delegation will then rejoin the rest of the club in Glendale early next week. The Roadrunners will then spend nearly 2Æ’ weeks away from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ because of the ongoing gem and mineral show, returning home Feb. 17.
Slap shots
- Friday’s game is All-Star Sports Night, and children ages 12 and under get free admission if they’re wearing a sports jersey.
- Saturday is the Roadrunners’ salute to the Olympics. The team will wear and raffle off specialty jerseys.
