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Wolves edged by Admirals in 16th season opener

October 3, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


ROSEMONT, Ill.---The Chicago Wolves scored 63 seconds into their first game, but fell victim to a three-goal second period by the Milwaukee Admirals en route to a 3-2 loss in their home opener before a crowd of more than 10,000 at the Allstate Arena Saturday night.

Chicago (0-1-0-0) came out of the gates firing, taking a 1-0 lead at 1:03 of the first period. Left wing Brett Sterling picked up the puck in the Wolves zone and worked it down the ice, passing it back to center Jason Krog. Krog pulled up near the crease and slipped it across to right wing Tim Stapleton, who flipped it past Milwaukee goaltender Mark Dekanich into the net.

"We had a great first minute," said Wolves Head Coach Don Granato. "We are a new team and I thought there was evidence of that throughout, but there were certainly strong signs of good things to come ahead."

The Admirals ruled the second period, potting three goals in just over 10 minutes during the frame. Left wing Tristan Grant sparked the scoring for Milwaukee when he picked up a rebound from a Ryan Maki shot and flicked it into the open right side of the net past Chicago netminder Drew MacIntyre, who was sprawled out to make the initial save.

Milwaukee (1-0-0-0) pulled ahead, 2-1, with a power-play goal at 12:02 of the second frame. A Wolves defender tried to control the puck in front of MacIntyre, but the puck bounced over his stick right to Milwaukee left wing Mark Santorelli, who flipped it top shelf.

The Admirals made their lead two when center Cal O'Reilly drove into the Wolves zone and slipped the puck across to right wing Ian MacKenzie, who flung a long shot by MacIntyre with 5:14 left to play in the middle stanza.

MacIntyre (0-1-0) posted 35 saves in his Wolves debut.

Chicago fought back within striking distance, 3-2, 4:49 into the third period with a short-handed goal from center Rylan Kaip. Forward Riley Holzapfel broke out alone along the boards and raced in on Dekanich, before firing the puck over to Kaip in the slot who made a quick blast to the back of the net.

Dekanich (1-0-0) turned aside 30 saves for the Admirals.

The Wolves travel to Canada for a pair of matchups with the Manitoba Moose next weekend, beginning with a tilt at the MTS Centre on Friday at 7:30 p.m.


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