ROSEMONT, Ill.—The Chicago Wolves kicked off their 21st season with a taut 2-1 victory over the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday night in front of 10,399 fans at Allstate Arena.
ROSEMONT, Ill.—The Chicago Wolves kicked off their 21st season with a taut 2-1 victory over the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday night in front of 10,399 fans at Allstate Arena.
Forwards Colin Fraser and Jeremy Welsh scored for the Wolves (1-0-0-0) while goaltender Matt Climie posted 14 saves as Chicago ran its record to 13-6-1-1 in season openers.
“I thought we played strong,” said Wolves head coach John Anderson, who earned his 300th regular-season victory at Allstate Arena. “We want to control the puck as much as possible. When we have it, then they don’t. I think we can make a few better plays and finish a little bit better, but their goalie did play well too.”
Fraser, the 29-year-old center who has three Stanley Cup championships on his resume, delivered the season’s first goal at 3:42 of the second period. Terry Broadhurst collected the puck along the left boards and circled it behind the net to Cody Beach, who found Fraser zipping down the slot for a one-timer past Charlotte goaltender John Muse.
“I put (Fraser) with a couple young, hungry guys (Beach and Yannick Veilleux) and I thought their line was very good out there,” Anderson said.
Charlotte evened the score at 8:10 of the second period as defenseman Trevor Carrick lifted the puck out of the defensive end to set up a 2-on-1 rush. Brendan Woods carried the puck down the left side and fed Jared Staal for a high blast past Matt Climie.
The Wolves earned the game-winner on forward Jeremy Welsh’s slap shot from the high slot at 14:16 of the second period. Rob Bordson raced the puck into the offensive zone, but had his momentum stalled. Welsh, trailing right behind the play, collected the puck and beat Muse on the glove side. His shot clanged off the inside of the post for his first goal with the Wolves.
Charlotte (0-2-0-0), which didn’t register its first shot on goal until the 15-minute, 32-second mark, finished with 15 shots. Muse (0-1-0) notched 27 saves in the loss.
The Wolves continue their season-opening five-game home stand when they host Charlotte at 4 p.m. Sunday. To learn more about ticket specials, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit ChicagoWolves.com.
WOLVES 2, CHECKERS 1
Charlotte 0 1 0 — 1
Chicago 0 2 0 — 2
First Period—None. Penalties—Charlotte (too many men, served by Aleardi), 1:59; Welsh, Chicago (slashing), 5:07; Rissanen, Charlotte (delay of game), 10:51; Boychuk, Charlotte (unsportsmanlike conduct), 13:58; Beach, Chicago (unsportsmanlike conduct), 13:58.
Second Period—1, Chicago, Fraser 1 (Beach, Broadhurst), 3:42; 2, Charlotte, Staal 1 (Woods, Carrick), 8:10; 3, Chicago, Welsh 1 (Bordson, Butler), 14:16; Penalties—Brodeur, Chicago (tripping), 16:34; LaRose, Charlotte (slashing), 19:02; Woods, Charlotte (delay of game), 19:28.
Third Period—None. Penalties—Sopel, Chicago (roughing), 2:41; Biega, Charlotte (cross-checking), 5:13; Schmitz, Charlotte (slashing), 11:30; Cannone, Chicago (goaltender interference), 16:46.
Shots on goal— Charlotte 1-8-6—25; Chicago 10-9-10—29. Power plays—Charlotte 0-4; Chicago 0-6. Goalies—Charlotte, Muse (27-29); Chicago, Climie (14-15). A—10,399. Referee—Garrett Rank. Linesmen—Brent Hooks and Al Stensland.
