Defenseman Jake Walman scored 1:05 into overtime to lift the Chicago Wolves to a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals Wednesday night at UWM Panther Arena. The victory marked the Wolves’ 1,000th regular-season franchise win.
Forwards Tomas Hyka – who also earned an assist – and Brandon Pirri each scored in regulation for Chicago while goaltender Max Lagace (7-2-1) made 26 saves for the win.
Milwaukee (15-12-3-0) broke through with 1:27 left on the clock in the first frame. Bobby Butler tipped a Frederic Allard shot for the 1-0 lead.
The Wolves (13-12-5-1) tied the game at 11:29 of the second period when Hyka barreled into the Admirals zone and put an wrist shot on net. The puck went between Anders Lindback’s pads, deflected off his skate and into the back of the net for the 1-1 equalizer.
In the third period, T.J. Tynan carried into the Milwaukee zone. He flew behind the net and spun around to find Pirri streaking up slot for an easy 2-1 go-ahead goal at 16:43.
Fifteen seconds later, Cody Bass redirected a Pierre-Cedric Labrie shot to knot the game 2-2.
In the 3-on-3 overtime session, the Wolves controlled the play. While Milwaukee was in the middle of a line change, Hyka circled along the left offensive boards and slid a pass to Walman rushing into the zone. His blistering one-timer found twine for the 3-2 victory.
Lindback (14-5-3) made 21 saves in the loss.
The Wolves and Admirals play the back half of a two-game set at UWM Panther Arena on Friday, Dec. 29. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on The U Too.