Rosemont, Ill. — The Chicago Wolves received some late-game heroics from rookie left wing Dmitrij Jaskin, who scored with 2:09 left to complete the Wolves 3-2 victory over the Western Conference-leading Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday night at Allstate Arena
Rosemont, Ill. — The Chicago Wolves received some late-game heroics from rookie left wing Dmitrij Jaskin, who scored with 2:09 left to complete the Wolves 3-2 victory over the Western Conference-leading Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday night at Allstate Arena
Right wing Mark Mancari (G, A) and defenseman David Shields also tallied for Chicago. Goaltender Jake Allen (12-7-2) held off a late flurry from the Griffins to finish the night with 20 saves.
“Grand Rapids never quits and I was happy to see us match their intensity late in the game,” said Wolves head coach John Anderson. “We missed some point-blank chances early, but I was glad to get the game-winner in regulation.”
The Wolves (14-12-0-2) waited only two minutes into the game to open scoring as Mancari potted his third goal in as many games. Defenseman Cade Fairchild intercepted a pass at center ice and sent the puck to Mancari, who carried it into the zone and made a move around a group of Griffins to set up a shot that beat goaltender Tom McCollum glove-side.
After outshooting Grand Rapids 13-5 in the first period, Chicago added to its lead early in the middle frame. Shields, pinching in the middle of the offensive zone, gave the Wolves a two-goal lead at 2:25 after accepting a pass from Mancari at the wall and burying it behind McCollum.
Grand Rapids (21-6-1-1) got on the board at 13:16 of the second period. The Griffins won a faceoff in the offensive zone and defenseman Brennan Evans took a shot off a rebound that snuck past a screened Allen.
The Griffins tied the game 2:23 into the final period as left wing Triston Grant scored on a wraparound. Grant picked up a rebound off a backhanded shot from the perimeter of the zone and spun around behind the net, tucking the puck inside the post before Allen could cover it.
Jaskin put the Wolves ahead 3-2 with 2:09 remaining. Center Alexandre Bolduc muscled the puck into the zone and around the back of the net. The Wolves forwards crashed the crease, firing multiple shots on McCollum at close range with Jaskin finding a hole to score the game-winner.
McCollum (11-4-0) made 33 saves in the loss.
Chicago meets Milwaukee on Sunday for a 4 p.m. Amtrak Rivalry matchup at Allstate Arena. For tickets, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit ChicagoWolves.com.
WOLVES 3, GRIFFINS 2
Grand Rapids 0 1 1 — 2
Chicago 1 1 1 — 3
First Period—1, Chicago, Mancari 7 (Fairchild), 2:09. Penalties—Callahan, Grand Rapids (holding), 4:07; Hakanpaa, Chicago (interference), 13:53; Callahan, Grand Rapids (high-sticking), 16:13.
Second Period—2, Chicago, Shields 4 (Mancari, Shattock), 2:25; 3, Grand Rapids, Evans 2 (Pulkkinen, McIntyre), 13:16. Penalties—Almquist, Grand Rapids (slashing), 10:56; Hakanpaa, Chicago (interference), 15:06; Ouellet, Grand Rapids (holding), 18:13.
Third Period—4, Grand Rapids, Grant 4 (McIntyre, Nestrasil), 2:23; 5, Chicago, Jaskin 9 (Bolduc, Aucoin), 17:51. Penalties—Nestrasil, Grand Rapids (interference), 6:04.
Shots on goal—Grand Rapids: 5-10-7—22; Chicago: 13-11-12—36. Power plays—Grand Rapids 0-2; Chicago 0-5. Goalies—Grand Rapids, McCollum (33-36), Chicago, Allen (20-22). A—5,724. Referees—Jon McIsaac and Jarrod Ragusin. Linesmen—Aaron Mills and Al Stensland.
