Center Brandon Pirri netted two goals while Kasimir Kaskisuo stopped 24 shots to help the Chicago Wolves dim the Texas Stars 4-1 Saturday night at H-E-B Center.
Pirri delivered his 22nd and 23rd goals of the season — including a power-play tally — while Jason Garrison and Stefan Matteau both scored empty-net goals to ensure the Wolves (31-18-6-2) won their fourth in a row.
In a fast-and-furious opening period, the Stars (29-21-5-3) cashed in first at 10:37 when Max French zipped a shot past Kaskisuo (14-12-2) for the game’s first goal.
Less than a minute later, from the bottom of the right offensive circle, T.J. Tynan whistled a pass through the slot to Pirri in the opposite circle. Pirri hesitated with the puck, floated into the slot and lasered the puck into a wide-open net for the 1-1 equalizer.
Chicago gained a 2-1 lead with less than three minutes to play in the second session. On the power play, Pirri netted his second goal from his favorite position — the right circle — and Philip Holm set up him up for the tally.
The Wolves solidified their victory with less than 40 seconds to play. First, Matteau scored his 12th goal of the season and 34 seconds later — with one second on the clock — Garrison nabbed his second empty-netter in as many games.
Texas netminder Landon Bow (15-12-4) made 17 saves in the loss.
The Wolves wrap up the Texas portion of their four-game road trip on Tuesday, March 6, against the San Antonio Rampage. Game time is 7 p.m. and the contest will be streamed on AHLLive.com.
