SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Danny Kristo scored 53 seconds into overtime to lead the Chicago Wolves to a 4-3 victory over the San Antonio Rampage in a clash of division leaders Sunday afternoon at the AT&T Center.
Kristo’s overtime game-winner was his second in as many games, helping the Wolves to a weekend sweep of the Rampage. Cody Beach, Jordan Caron and Ty Rattie also recorded goals for the Wolves, who exploded for three tallies in the third period to force overtime after being held off the board for the first 50 minutes.
Chicago (7-1-0-1) remains atop the Central Division standings, having collected points in seven straight games and in eight of nine contests this season. San Antonio (6-0-4-0) still hasn’t lost in regulation after playing its third game in as many days.
The Rampage wasted little time getting on the board, scoring just 49 seconds into the opening period on Troy Bourke’s first goal of the season. Maxim Noreau launched a shot on goal that Bourke redirected in front of Wolves goaltender Pheonix Copley. The goal snapped Copley’s shutout streak at 121 minutes and 2 seconds. Copley later turned away Mikko Rantanen on a short-handed breakaway midway through the first period.
San Antonio went up 2-0 at 8:59 of the third when Sam Henley’s outlet pass found Colin Smith, who having just exited the penalty box, broke in alone on Copley and scored on the forehand.
The Wolves responded in less than a minute, as Cody Beach scored his first goal of the season on a deflection off Chris Butler’s shot from inside the blueline. Chicago tied the contest 126 seconds later, when Jordan Caron collected a rebound and tucked a backhanded shot past Will.
San Antonio appeared to lock up the victory when Nikita Zadorov scored with 2:10 left in regulation. Zadorov went coast-to-coast to slip the puck between Copley’s pads. Chicago pushed back, however, with a goal just 36 seconds later on Ty Rattie’s backhander in the slot. Rattie was playing in his first game since being reassigned from the NHL.
Copley (3-1-0) stopped 28 of 31 shots for Chicago, while Roman Will (0-0-1) lost his season debut for San Antonio, turning away 21 of 25 shots.
The Wolves’ next game is 7 p.m. on Thursday at Manitoba. The team returns to Allstate Arena at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, for Salute to Military Families Night, presented by Kia and Magellan. The Wolves then host Star Wars Day at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22. To learn how to be part of the special pregame event featuring “Star Wars Rebels” star Taylor Gray, visit ChicagoWolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.
WOLVES 4, RAMPAGE 3 (OT)
Chicago 0 0 3 1– 4
San Antonio 1 0 2 0– 3
First Period—1, San Antonio, Bourke 1 (Noreau, Rendulic), 0:49. Penalties—Cheek, San Antonio (slashing), 6:13; Rattie, Chicago (roughing),14:28; Zadorov, San Antonio (elbowing), 14:28; Butler, Chicago (slashing), 19:19.
Second Period—none.
Penalties—Bordeleau, San Antonio (hooking), 6:34; Beach, Chicago (fighting), 18:03; Siemens, San Antonio (fighting), 18:03.
Third Period—2, San Antonio, Smith 4 (Henley, Petryk), 8:59; 3, Chicago, Beach 1 (Butler), 9:30; 4, Chicago, Caron 2 (Lindbohm, Trupp), 11:36, 5, San Antonio, Zadorov 1 (Petryk, Redmond), 17:50; 6, Chicago, Rattie 5 (Welsh, Harrold), 18:26.
Penalties—Smith, San Antonio (slashing), 5:54.
Overtime—7, Chicago, Kristo 5 (Benoit), 0:53. Penalties—none.
Shots on goal—Chicago 5-9-10-1—25; San Antonio 12-12-7-0—31. Power plays—Chicago 0-3; San Antonio 0-1. Goalies—Chicago, Copley (28-31); San Antonio, Will (21-25). Referee—Cameron Voss. Linesmen—Chris Gates and Mike Winslow.
