CAVENDISH FARMS REPORT - 02.02.23

The first-place Wranglers... It has a nice ring to it.
After back-to-back wins last weekend over the Silver Knights and the Reign, the Wranglers took over top spot in the AHL standings with their league-leading 30th win of the season. They have picked up points in seven-straight games with a 6-0-1 mark.
Calgary also received a welcome infusion of enthusiasm and experience to the lineup, thanks to a few familiar additions who were recently reassigned from the Flames. The Wranglers are primed to continue their league-leading ways heading into the AHL All-Star Break.

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LEADING THE CHARGE

The Wranglers are the first team in the AHL to hit the 30-win mark this season with a record of 30-10-2, which has them sitting in top spot in the league standings with 62 points.
Calgary doesn't just lead in the standings either. They've scored the most goals this season with 161 goals-for and have allowed the fewest goals with 105, while operating the league's most efficient penalty kill at 86.0% The Wranglers powerplay is tops in the Western Conference, sitting second overall in the league at 24.3%.
Matthew Phillips continues to lead the league in goals (24) and game-winning goals (9). Dustin Wolf is ahead of all AHL goaltenders in wins (25) and shutouts (4). Jeremie Poirier leads all rookie defencemen with 26 points (4g, 22a) in 40 games this season.

PREVIOUS RESULTS

● January 29, 2023 @ Ontario Reign - W, 4-1
● January 28, 2023 @ Henderson Silver Knights - W, 6-2
● January 25, 2023 vs Ontario Reign - L, 3-2 (OT)

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN

There were a few familiar faces around practice on Wednesday at Winsport as the Wranglers prepared for two games against the Bakersfield Condors on Thursday and Friday.
With the NHL All-Star festivities getting underway this weekend, the Flames re-assigned Walker Duehr, Jakob Pelletier and Dennis Gilbert to the Wranglers.
It's the third time this season that Gilbert has been recalled to the big club. Pelletier, on the other hand, appeared in his first-career NHL game on January 21, 2023 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. With a strong showing in his first two appearances, he found himself on a line alongside Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri for the final two games leading up to the NHL pause. Duehr has been impactful in eight games with the Flames, scoring two goals in that span.
For the time being, Duehr is looking forward to contributing once again with the Wranglers, just like he's done all season.
"Excited to be back with these guys," said Duehr. "Just get back to work and just keep growing my game and help the team win here."
The Wranglers will face the Bakersfield Condors for two games beginning Thursday at the Scotiabank Saddledome looking to pick up their third win in a row.
Dansk Making Strides
Oscar Dansk has been steadily improving his game between the pipes this season, recently picking up his fifth win and has won back-to-back decisions for the Wranglers.
In his last two starts, Dansk has been impressive, keeping Calgary in the fight and giving the offence a chance to start clicking in-games. He has made multiple highlight reel saves in the last few contests, with his confidence growing each time out.
"Personally, I feel good. I feel like I've made some improvements the last couple weeks here and dialed some things in," Dansk said. "I thought we played really well last weekend, so I'm sure everybody wants to continue on the same path and feel good going into the break."

ONE TIMERS

Mitch McLain has been on fire recently, with 7 points (4g, 3a) in his last five games. McLain picked up the 'Gordie Howe Hat-Trick' on January 28, 2023 against Henderson, scoring a goal (he scored twice) adding an assist and also dropping the mitts.
Walker Duehr scored a pair of goals with the Flames during his 8-game stint and, since rejoining the Wranglers, has notched three goals in his last two games and is averaging 5.5 shots per game in that span.
Jakob Pelletier settled right back in on the Wranglers top line after returning from the Flames. In his first game back against the Reign, Pelletier scored a goal, added an assist and was named first star of the game.

QUOTABLE

Goaltending coach Mackenzie Skapski on the recent play of Dansk
"His game is going in an upward direction, for sure. If you want to look at the wins alone, his wins are starting to come along with his game. He's got a good process in practice, he's developing as a goaltender, even at 28-years-old, he's getting better."
Walker Duehr comments on McLain's Gordie Howe Hat-Trick:
"That's the type of player Moose is. He's a physical player but he's also got a scoring touch and playmaking ability so (it's) really cool for him to get that and I'm happy for him."