AHL Chicago Wolves

Rampage Power Past Wolves

January 7, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


ROSEMONT, Ill.---Left wing Jordan LaVallee potted two goals for the Chicago Wolves and Brett Sterling added a third for a late comeback, but the team fell victim to three power-play goals by the San Antonio Rampage on the way to a 5-3 loss at the Allstate Arena Wednesday night.

With Chicago (19-16-2-1) trailing, 4-1, midway through the third period, LaVallee sparked a comeback with his second tally of the game, 8:16 into the frame. The 22-year-old forward took a pass from Sterling near center ice and streaked into the zone, evading a San Antonio defender and roofing a shot over Rampage netminder Josh Tordjman.

Sterling followed suit to help the Wolves inch within one, 4-3, when he flew into the Rampage zone on a breakaway and sniped a top shelf shot over Tordjman's shoulder with 6:43 left in the game, but an empty net marker in the last seconds of the contest iced the game for the Rampage.

"They are a tough, hardworking team," said Wolves Head Coach Don Granato. "It took us a while to get going, and by the time we did, it was too late."

The Rampage took the game's first lead, 11:42 into the first frame. Working on the power play, right wing Chad Kolarik held the puck in the slot and ripped a snap shot, stick side, past Chicago's screened goaltender Dan Turple to put San Antonio up 1-0.

Left wing Jeff Hoggan drove in on Turple and snuck the puck between his pads and the goal post as he fell to the ice in the crease to increase the Rampage lead to 2-0, 4:59 into the second period.

San Antonio (14-24-0-1) put the Wolves in a three-goal hole, 14:58 into the second period, when center Wyatt Smith took a pass on the doorstep of the goal mouth and shoveled it by Turple.

Turple (5-7-0) posted 29 saves for the Wolves.

LaVallee's first of the game broke the scoreless drought for the Wolves with 78 seconds remaining in the second period when he rifled a long shot by Tordjman, glove-side, to bring Chicago within two, 3-1, heading into the final frame.

Tordjman (12-13-1) thwarted 25 of 28 Wolves shots.

The Rampage bagged their third power-play tally of the night when left wing Brett MacLean followed up a shot after Turple made the initial save and managed to slip the puck under his legs and into the net, making the score 4-1 with just under 15 minutes remaining in the game.

Check out the Chicago Wolves Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central