AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins' Seven-Game Winning Streak Snapped by Wolves

Published on December 11, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Chicago Wolves snapped the Grand Rapids Griffins' seven-game winning streak and eight-game run on home ice with a 4-2 victory on Wednesday at Van Andel Arena.

Alexandre Bolduc scored twice as the Wolves rallied from a 2-1 deficit with three unanswered goals over the game's final 22:40, becoming just the second team this season to beat the Griffins by more than one goal. Chicago was also responsible for Grand Rapids' most recent loss, a 4-3 decision on Nov. 16 at Allstate Arena.

The Griffins (17-5-1-1), who maintain their eight-point cushion atop the Midwest Division, will conclude their season-high seven-game homestand with a Friday-Saturday set against the Milwaukee Admirals. Game time each night is 7 p.m.

The Wolves (12-10-0-2) struck first at 10:02 of the opening period when Bolduc found a rebound in the slot and chipped a backhand past the glove of Tom McCollum.

Grand Rapids captain Jeff Hoggan evened the score at 11:03 of the second, intercepting a pass in the Chicago zone and quickly connecting on a wrist shot from the edge of the left circle.

The Griffins, who killed off 1:29 of a 5-on-3 Chicago power play earlier in the period, then capitalized on their own two-man advantage to go on top 2-1 at the 16:33 mark, with Riley Sheahan's one-timer from the right circle beating Jake Allen.

The lead lasted less than a minute. Bolduc picked up the puck between his own circles and wove his way up ice through several defenders until he was on top of McCollum's crease, and the puck deflected off his left skate and into the net at 17:20. The goal was reviewed and confirmed by the referee.

The visitors inched ahead 3-2 with a power play goal 4:24 into the third. McCollum made a brilliant right toe save on Mark Mancari's long shot from above the left circle, but the loose puck was knocked home by Dmitrij Jaskin. Chicago notched an insurance goal with 7:44 remaining when Ty Rattie's wraparound attempt slid through the crease before deflecting off defensemanAlexey Marchenko and across the line.

McCollum turned aside 22 shots in the loss while Allen, selected four picks after McCollum in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, stopped 27 for the win.

Notes: Of the seven longest winning streaks in Griffins history (all seven games or longer), three have come under coach Jeff Blashill, including two this season. No previous coach oversaw more than one of the streaks.

Three Stars: 1. CHI Bolduc (two goals); 2. CHI Jaskin (power play goal, assist); 3. GR Hoggan (unassisted goal)

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American Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2013


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