ROSEMONT, Ill.—The Wolves wrapped up a set of three games in three days with the Grand Rapids Griffins on Sunday at Allstate Arena.
Noel Gunler and Justin Robidas each scored to provide the offense and goaltender Spencer Martin made 33 saves to lift the Wolves to a 2-1 victory. The Wolves took five of a possible six points on the Central Division-leading Griffins during the weekend series.
“We’ve been working hard since Day 1,” Gunler said. “It’s going to take some time to build something good and I think we’re in a good way toward building a winning team. We’re doing a great job right now.”
Special teams played a big role in helping stake the Wolves to a two-goal advantage after one period.
First, Chicago cashed in on the power play when Gunler struck. The forward was camped in front of the Griffins net and banged a rebound of a Ryan Suzuki shot past netminder Jack Campbell. Suzuki and Juha Jaaska earned assists on Gunler’s team-high sixth goal of the season.
A penalty seconds later left the Wolves shorthanded but they quickly did damage of their own when Robidas and Domenick Fensore broke into the Grand Rapids zone on an odd-man rush. Fensore fed his teammate with a cross-ice pass and Robidas didn’t miss, burying the puck into the back of the net just 13 seconds after Gunler’s tally. It marked Robidas’ fourth goal of the season and the Wolves’ fourth score while shorthanded.
“It’s huge,” Gunler said of the strong special teams play. “It was the difference (Saturday night) when we had a five-on-three in the third and we didn’t score and we ended up losing in overtime (5-4).
“It was huge for us to get PK and PP goals,” Gunler continued. “Overall, we played a great game but it comes down to small details and they ended up winning us the game.”
Martin took it from there as he blanked the Griffins until Sheldon Dries spoiled the veteran goalie’s shutout bid with :41 remaining.
Campbell (28 saves) took the loss in goal for the Griffins.
Chicago moved to 9-9-2-0 on the season while Grand Rapids fell to 15-7-1-0.
Next up: The Wolves travel to Texas to take on the Stars on Friday night (7 p.m.).
For information on Wolves ticket plans for the 2024-25 season—everything from single-game tickets to Flex Packs to group outings—visit chicagowolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.
