CAVENDISH FARMS REPORT - 13.04.23

Two regular season games left, that's it.
Despite going on an impressive 13-0-1 run recently, the Wranglers are still in a tight race to lock up the Pacific Division as well as top spot in the AHL.

After a loss to the Abbotsford Canucks on Wednesday night - their first regulation loss in over a month - Calgary now sits just one point up on the Coachella Valley Firebirds with 104. Both teams have two games remaining to try and secure a division title, with its accompanying first-round bye in the postseason, as well as the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the top team in the AHL during the regular season.
A lot on the line, still.
"We've got plenty to play for in terms of trying to finish first place and get that first-round bye," explained Wranglers head coach Mitch Love. "So, there's lots to play for, and on top of that, rounding out our team-game as we prepare for the playoffs."

HERE COMES THE CAVALRY:

The Flames - who wrapped up their season on Wednesday - announced Thursday that they have reassigned (F) Walker Duehr, (F) Jakob Pelletier and (G) Dustin Wolf to the Wranglers.
Duehr suited up for 41 games for the Wranglers this season, registering 26 points (15g, 11a) and three game-winners before getting the call up to the Flames. In total, the 25-year-old appeared in 27 NHL games, picking up 11 points (7g, 4a).
Pelletier appeared in his first NHL game this season, donning the Flaming 'C' for the first time (officially) against the Tampa Bay Lightning back on Jan. 21. He played a total of 24 games with the Flames, registering three goals and seven points. Prior to his NHL recall, Pelletier had 36 points (16g, 20a) in 33 games with the Wranglers and still sits T-2nd on the team with eight powerplay goals.
Wolf's first NHL start was a memorable one, playingon Wednesday night (Apr.12) against the team he grew up cheering for, the San Jose Sharks. The 21-year-old turned aside 23 of 24 shots (0.958 SV%) he faced to register his first NHL win. Wolf has been the top goaltender in the AHL all season with the Wranglers, posting a 41-9-2 record with a 2.08 GAA, 0.932 Sv% and seven shutouts.
Wolf was named as an AHL First Team All-Star on Thursday.

PREVIOUS RESULTS:

MR. CLUTCH:

Another player who was recently named as an AHL First Team All-Star is Matthew Phillips.
It's a well-deserved nod to the local Calgarian, who has been a game-breaker for the Wranglers all season long. Phillips is tied for the AHL lead in goals with 36, sits fourth overall in points with 75 in 64 games and has 15 game-winning goals this season, the most in the AHL.
Phillips had his recent nine-game point streak snapped on Wednesday night in Abbotsford - a stretch where he notched 16 points (8g, 8a) including five GWG's. His focus is team first, however, as the Wranglers are looking to finish strong against the Canucks over the weekend.
"Every game has been pretty much a playoff game considering how close Coachella is behind us," explained Phillips. "You're just seeing younger guys that are finding their game and bringing good hockey to our team so it's been great."
"It's going to be a challenge. We have a lot on the line still, we're still pushing to clinch first place so it's going to be big."

ONE TIMERS:

Defenceman Jeremie Poirier was named to the AHL All-Rookie team on Wednesday. Poirier sits second in scoring amongst AHL rookie blueliners with 41 points (9g,32a) with a plus-5 rating and a perfect 4/4 record on shootouts this season ... The Wranglers announced on Thursday that they have signed (F) Parker Bell to an Amateur Tryout (ATO). Bell is a Flames 2022 Fifth-Round pick from the Tri-City Americans (WHL) ... Dryden Hunt has fit in well with the Wranglers, posting three goals, 12 points in 15 games since being acquired on March 3.

QUOTABLES:

Dustin Wolf commented on his first NHL start - and first win:
"It's rewarding, you put the work in each and every day, you dream about that as a kid. To get that first game and first win it feels really awesome and obviously, leaves you wanting more."
Matthew Phillips joked about his teammates' response to his clutch performances late in games:
"The guys give me crap that I don't show up until the third, quite often," Phillips chuckled.
Mitch Love talks about putting forth a strong effort in Abbotsford:
"We're on the road here, so it's even more of a challenge going into other teams' buildings to get points and we've got to try and keep that going here in a hostile atmosphere in Abbotsford."