Rosemont, Ill.—Grand Rapids recorded a power-play goal with 48.7 seconds left to register a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Wolves Saturday night at Allstate Arena.
Rosemont, Ill.—Grand Rapids recorded a power-play goal with 48.7 seconds left to register a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Wolves Saturday night at Allstate Arena.
Right wing Shane Harper scored for the Wolves (9-7-0-2) while Matt Climie stopped 22 shots in the hard-fought loss to the Midwest Division-leading Griffins.
“We came out flat the first five minutes but then I thought we controlled the game,” said Wolves head coach John Anderson. “We aren’t scoring many goals right now and when you don’t bury your chances it completely changes the complexion of the game.”
Grand Rapids (13-4-1-1) opened the scoring 4:51 into the game when Alexey Marchenko claimed the puck at the blue line along the boards and fed the puck to Tomas Jurco in the slot. Jurco passed up a chance to shoot and found center Calle Jarnkrok in the far circle for an open shot that he steered into the top corner of the net.
The Wolves evened the score at 18:29 of the second period on Harper’s fourth goal of the season. Left wing Dmitrij Jaskin corralled the puck in the corner and delivered it to Harper in front of the crease. Harper flipped a backhand into the crease, where the puck bounced off the leg of sprawling Griffins goalie Petr Mrazek and crossed the goal line.
Grand Rapids picked up the game-winner at 19:11 of the third period while on its only power play of the night. Jurco fired a shot from along the far boards that Climie kicked away toward the near circle. Right wing Patrick Eaves rushed in and rifled the puck into the open half of the net as Climie (1-4-0) tried in vain to slide from one side to the other.
Mrazek (7-2-1) posted 30 saves to pick up the win.
The Wolves host their next game at 7 p.m. Wednesday as the Iowa Wild visit Allstate Arena for a Midwest Division showdown. For tickets, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit ChicagoWolves.com.
GRIFFINS 2, WOLVES 1
Grand Rapids 1 0 1 — 2
Chicago 0 1 0 — 1
First Period—1, Grand Rapids, Jarnkrok 6 (Jurco, Marchenko), 4:51.
Penalties—Jarnkrok, Grand Rapids (roughing), 9:24; Edmundson, Chicago (roughing), 9:24; Callahan, Grand Rapids (unsportsmanlike conduct), 9:24.
Second Period—2, Chicago, Harper 4 (Jaskin), 18:29. Penalties—Hoggan, Grand Rapids (hooking), 8:01.
Third Period—3, Grand Rapids, Eaves 1 (Jurco, Emmerton), 19:11 pp. Penalties—Rattie, Chicago (goaltender interference), 17:52; Rattie, Chicago (game misconduct), 20:00.
Shots on goal—Grand Rapids: 8-3-13—24; Chicago: 9-9-13—31. Power plays—Grand Rapids 1-1; Chicago 0-2. Goalies—Grand Rapids, Mrazek (30-31), Chicago, Climie (22-24). A—7,228. Referee—Jamie Koharski. Linesmen—Peter Cichy and Alex Stagnone.
