CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Danny Kristo scored with six seconds left in regulation, then provided the only goal in the shootout session to lift Chicago to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Charlotte Friday evening at Bojangles’ Coliseum. The game was closed to the public due to the winter storm that hit the Eastern seaboard.
Chicago (19-17-1-2) fell into a 3-0 hole before rallying with three goals in the third period. Kristo scored twice in the period (and added an assist) while Jordan Caron added his 12th goal of the season. Pat Cannone earned an assist to extend his point streak to six games.
Charlotte (24-12-1-2), which entered the game having won 13 of 16 games, opened scoring on Zach Boychuk’s power play goal at 12:06 of the first period.
The Checkers added to their lead with a pair of late goals in the second period. Patrick Brown one-timed a shot off a pass from Brendan Woods on a two-on-one rush at 15:24. T.J. Hensick followed just three minutes later with a wrister from the left circle that beat goaltender Pheonix Copley stick side. Copley was pulled in favor of Niklas Lundstrom, who went on to earn his first AHL victory.
Chicago stormed back in the third period with three goals. Cannone found Caron in the slot for a one-timer just 56 seconds into the frame. Kristo pulled the Wolves to within a goal with a wrap-around goal at the 7:33 mark then forced overtime with an extra attacker goal at the 19:54 mark.
Lundstrom (1-0-0) recorded 11 saves – stopping all three Checker shootout attempts – while Copley finished with 17 saves. Charlotte’s Rasmus Tirronen (6-2-1) turned away 24 shots.
The Wolves continue their weekend series against the Checkers tomorrow night with a 7 p.m. faceoff at Bojangles’ Coliseum. To obtain the best tickets and group rates, visit ChicagoWolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.
WOLVES 4, CHECKERS 3 (SO)
Chicago 0 0 3 0 1 — 4
Charlotte 1 2 0 0 0 — 3
First Period—1, Charlotte, Boychuk 7 (Karlsson, McGinn), 12:06, pp.
Penalties—Kirsto, Chicago (tripping), 10:19.
Second Period—2, Charlotte, Brown 5 (Woods, Hensick), 15:24; 3, Charlotte, Hensick 6 (Shugg, McGinn), 18:45.
Penalties—Karlsson, Charlotte (interference), 4:59; Shugg, Charlotte (tripping), 7:51; Cannone, Chicago (tripping), 12:51; Boychuk, Charlotte (slashing), 19:53.
Third Period—4, Chicago, Caron 12 (Cannone, Kristo), 0:56; 5, Chicago, Kristo 11 (Caron, Lindbohm), 7:33; 6, Chicago, Kristo 12 (Schmaltz, Butler), 19:54.
Overtime—none.
Penalties—Butler, Chicago (slashing), 1:36; Bench, Charlotte (too many men), 4:33.
Shootout—Chicago 1 (Barbashev NG, Kristo G); Charlotte 0 (Hensick NG, Shugg NG, Ryan NG).
Shots on goal—Chicago 7-6-11-3-1—28; Charlotte 9-11-6-5-0—31. Power plays—Chicago 0-4; Charlotte 1-3. Goalies—Chicago, Copley (17-20), Lundstrom (11-11); Charlotte, Tirronen (24-27). Referees—Jake Brenk. Linesmen—Brent Hooks and Charlie O’Connor.
