Records aside, Wolves worried about defense
On the surface, the Chicago Wolves appear to be in great shape with the playoffs less than a month away.
The Wolves are on pace to break franchise records for regular-seasons wins, points and winning percentage.
Right now, they stand 46-16-2-2 with 96 points and a .727 winning percentage with 14 games remaining. The 1997-98 team holds two records with 55 wins and a .689 winning percentage. The 1999-2000 team finished with 113 points.
But despite what the numbers may suggest, Wolves coach John Anderson isn't counting on carrying around another cup just yet. He's been around long enough to know it's not that simple.
"Quite honestly, records are nice to have, but I'd rather have a championship ring," he said. "That's the bottom line for us. I'm very happy. I've very pleased with how the season has gone so far, but to me that's not the be-all, end-all."
With the Wolves' play of late, Anderson isn't especially sure of his team right now.
Heading into Thursday night's matchup at Houston, the Wolves had dropped two games in a row. For most teams, that wouldn't be such a bad number, but for the Wolves it was only the fourth time this season they've experienced such a streak.
Defense has been the biggest concern for the Wolves. They allowed 5 goals against Peoria on Saturday and then gave up 7 against Lake Erie on Tuesday.
"We've been getting away with way too many chances against us the last four games," said Anderson, whose team has allowed 119 shots in that span. "It's really biting us in the rear end."
Anderson does believe when the Atlanta Thrashers' season ends and all the Wolves players are returned, his defense will regain form.
History lesson: Veteran center Steve Martins understands the Wolves' history more than any other player on this season's roster.
Ten years ago, Martins scored 20 goals and dished out 41 assists on the Wolves' 1997-98 team, which holds the record for regular-seasons wins and winning percentage and won the Turner Cup. Then, he was one of the youngest Wolves.
Now, at 35, he's one of the oldest Wolves and is on the verge of being a member of another historic regular-season team and possibly another championship one.
"I think with any year the Wolves always demand excellence year in and year out," said Martins, who has 50 points on the season. "We expected a phenomenal year, but I don't think we'd be saying we'd be at this point.
"Obviously, there a lot of factors in your control and not in your control come the playoffs. You can have a seventh or eighth seed and win it all. Luck has a little to do with it. But with the group we have now, if we come together and realize our roles and sacrifice ourselves, we have the talent to beat any team in the league."