Teemu Pulkkinen scored twice as the Chicago Wolves topped the Tucson Roadrunners 2-1 in overtime on Sunday to split a two-game series at Allstate Arena.
“He loves to shoot,” said Wolves head coach Rocky Thompson. “The guy who shoots the puck the most ends up scoring the most goals. He’s done a really good job and obviously he was rewarded tonight.”
Goaltender Max Lagace (2-2-0) made 23 saves — and assisted on the game-winning goal — for his second victory of the season.
After a scoreless first period, the Wolves (2-2-1-0) finally opened scoring at 4:53 of the second frame on a neutral-zone turnover. A Tucson defenseman fell at the Chicago blue line and Pulkkinen — with linemates Wade Megan and Paul Thompson trailing — were away to the races for a 3-on-0 chance that Pulkkinen put between Marek Langhamer’s pads.
For the second consecutive contest, Tucson (2-2-0-0) again scored short-handed. Nick Merkley took advantage of a breakaway chance and buried the equalizer with 1:48 left in regulation to send the game to overtime.
In the extra frame with just over 30 seconds to spare, Pulkkinen wired a shot from the left point for his fourth goal of the year and the 2-1 victory.
Chicago returns to action at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, against the Manitoba Moose for the first of three School-Day Games this season at Allstate Arena. The game will stream on AHLLive.com. For ticket information or complete 2017-18 game and broadcast schedules, visit ChicagoWolves.com.
