Tuch and Theodore shine in tough early losses for Wolves

While the Vegas Golden Knights are off to an awesome start in the desert, a pair of nice off-season pick-ups are showing signs of developing into scoring machines with the Chicago Wolves, top minor affiliate of the Knights.

Alex Tuch, a 21-year-old forward from New York has been a prospect in the Minnesota Wild system since being selected 18^th Overall in the 2014 NHL Draft but he moved to the Vegas group this past summer for a third-round selection.

Tuch made his presence felt in a big, although ultimately unsuccessful way in the Wolves opening game on Friday night, scoring three times and setting up another as the Wolves fell 6-5 in a wild one against the Texas Stars at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

The assist came on the first goal of the season for another former first-rounder, Shea Theodore, from BC, a 26^th Overall Selection by the Ducks of Anaheim in 2013. Theodore went on to score two more in the following night in another 6-5 defeat – this time in overtime at the same arena.

Along with the early heroics by Tuch and Theodore, the Wolves picked up a goal and assist from NHL vet Beau Bennett and single goals from Teemu Pulkkinen, Tyler Wong and Tomas Hyka.

Both Theodore, who picked up nine goals and 37 points with the San Diego Gulls in 50 games through the 2015-16 AHL season and Tuch who made his pro debut last season, collecting 18 goals and 37 points with the Iowa Wild in 2016-17, his rookie season – are on pace to obliterate previous best points totals.

On the other side, Jason Dickinson scored once in Friday’s game and then added two more Saturday for the Stars along with an assist. Gavin Bayreuther collected a goal and two assists, Travis Morin and Sheldon Dries a goal and a helper apiece and a half dozen others collected goals as well.

It was a rough weekend for goaltenders, veteran Mike McKenna patrolling the Stars’ crease and picking up a pair of wins while Oskar Dansk and Max Lagace each took a turn in goal for the Wolves.

The Wolves will play its home opener on Saturday against the Ontario Reign at the Allstate Arena, its only game of the weekend. The Pacific Division meetings will continue the following weekend when the Tucson Roadrunners pay a visit and the Wolves will finally face Central Division competition on Oct. 25 with a home game against the Manitoba Moose.