ROSEMONT, Illinois – The Chicago Wolves launched 45 shots, including a five-minute fusillade at game’s end, but goaltender Jared Coreau stood tall to lead the Grand Rapids Griffins to a 4-0 victory on Sunday afternoon at Allstate Arena. Martin Frk scored the first two goals for Grand Rapids (39-20-1-1), which extended its winning streak to 11 games. Right wing Danny Kristo and defenseman Peter Harrold led the Wolves (26-28-5-3) with 7 shots apiece.
“We threw everything but the kitchen sink at them tonight,” said Wolves head coach John Anderson. “That’s kind of our mantra. We’re not going to lie down until we are dead. I thought the guys played hard.”
Grand Rapids broke on top with Frk’s power-play goal 8:56 into the game. Anthony Mantha accepted a pass near the goal line on the right side and backhanded a no-look pass to Frk at the bottom of the left circle for a one-timer.
Frk notched an even-handed goal at 5:32 of the second. Tomas Nosek found Frk open in the slot and he ripped a low shot through a Wolves forward and goaltender Pheonix Copley.
The Griffins pushed their lead to 3-0 on Andy Miele’s short-handed goal 4:47 into the final period. Mantha’s breakaway goal at 5:58 pushed the margin to 4-0.
Coreau (29-10-2) earned his sixth shutout of the year while Copley (12-14-3) rejected 23 of 27 shots.
The Wolves host the Rockford IceHogs at 7 p.m. Friday in an Illinois Lottery Cup clash that will be prefaced by the team’s Sports Career and Networking Fair. To learn how to take part in the fair and get the best deals on tickets, visit ChicagoWolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.
GRIFFINS 4, WOLVES 0
Grand Rapids 1 1 2 — 4
Chicago 0 0 0 — 0
First Period—1, Grand Rapids, Frk 24 (Mantha, Miele) 8:56 pp. Penalties—Nosek, Grand Rapids (tripping), 4:43; Rattie, Chicago (tripping), 8:41.
Second Period—2, Grand Rapids, Frk 25 (Nosek), 5:32. Penalties—Caron, Chicago (high-sticking), 0:45; Miele, Grand Rapids (hooking), 1:19; Frk, Grand Rapids (tripping), 6:29; Mantha, Grand Rapids (delay of game), 13:02.
Third Period—3, Grand Rapids, Miele 14 (Cleary), 4:47 sh; 4, Grand Rapids, Mantha 21 (Sproul), 5:58. Penalties—Andersson, Grand Rapids (tripping), 3:08; Lashoff, Grand Rapids (cross-checking), 17:48.
Shots on goal—Grand Rapids 12-9-6—27; Chicago 10-15-20—45. Power plays—Grand Rapids 1-2; Chicago 0-6. Goalies—Grand Rapids, Coreau (45-45); Chicago, Copley (23-27). Referees—Mike Langin and Keith Kaval. Linesmen—Ryan Daisy and Ian McCambridge.
