Rochester drops Chicago, 4-3
Published on February 11, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
ROSEMONT, Ill.---The Chicago Wolves pulled ahead three times but saw the advantage slip from their fingers on each occasion, as the Rochester Americans rallied to skate away with a 4-3 victory at the Allstate Arena Wednesday night.
Right wing Jeff Hamilton paced Chicago (26-25-2-1) with three points (G, 2A) in the loss, while defensemen Brett Skinner (2A) and Clay Wilson (G, A) also added multiple points.
With the Wolves working on the power play and leading, 3-2, Americans left wing Karl Stewart picked up the puck at the blue line and fired a shot by goaltender Ondrej Pavelec from the right face-off circle, knotting the score, 3-3, with 4:26 remaining in the second frame.
Rochester (19-29-0-4) pulled ahead for the first time with the eventual game-winner, 4-3, at 6:47 of the third period. Stefan Meyer parked at the right corner of the net and tried to jam the puck between Pavelec's pad and the post, before kicking it out to the opposite post where center Janis Sprukts was waiting to ship it into the net.
"We looked tired tonight," said Wolves Head Coach Don Granato. "The energy level was not where it needed to be." Hamilton opened the scoring, 1:46 into the game when he banged a rebound from a Wilson shot into the empty corner of the net, giving Chicago an early one-goal cushion.
The Americans responded in short order, tying the score, 1-1, at 5:40 of the first period. Right wing Michal Repik faked a shot to pull Pavelec out of position before slipping the puck across for Drew Larman, who deposited it in the empty net.
Center Riley Holzapfel converted on a power-play chance to put the Wolves ahead, 2-1, 9:31 into the first period. Hamilton slipped the puck through traffic and out to Holzapfel at the point, where the forward wound up and ripped a long shot by Americans goaltender Tyler Plante.
Sprukts evened the scored for the Amerks, 2-2, breaking down alone on Pavelec and flicking the puck out of his reach at 15:30 of the first period.
Pavelec (9-10-1) notched 19 saves for Chicago. Wilson potted his first goal as a member of the Wolves to put Chicago ahead, 3-2. Hamilton's one timer banked off Rochester netminder Mike Brodeur's pads and Wilson caught it on his blade, moved in and pushed it over the goal line at 7:12 of the second period.
Mike Brodeur (14-5-2) turned aside 24 shots in 40 minutes of action after relieving Plante (three saves) following the first period.
The Wolves embark on a three-game road swing, beginning with a matchup against the Milwaukee Admirals at the Bradley Center on Friday at 7 p.m.
American Hockey League Stories from February 11, 2009
- Iggulden's overtime goal completes comeback - Bridgeport Islanders
- IceHogs Top Rivermen 1-0 in Legace's Debut - Peoria Rivermen
- Falcons Lose To Monarchs 5-2 - Springfield Falcons
- Oh Danny Boy - Manchester Monarchs
- Rochester drops Chicago, 4-3 - Chicago Wolves
- Niemi out does Legace in 1-0 win - Rockford IceHogs
- B-Sens late comeback drowned by River Rats - Binghamton Senators
- Moose nip Wolf Pack, 4-2 - Connecticut Whale
- Devils Fall in Shootout to Phantoms, 2-1 - Albany Devils
- Bulldogs battle back to beat Bears, 4-2 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Sound Tigers Roar Back for 4-3 OT Win Over Rampage - San Antonio Rampage
- Albany Beats Binghamton 4-2 For 4th Straight Win - Albany River Rats
- Maroon's Ninth-Round Shootout Goal Gives Phantoms 2-1 Win - Adirondack Phantoms
- Moose tame Wolf Pack, 4-2 - Manitoba Moose
- Wolves Add Forwars Siddall and Taylor - Chicago Wolves
- Wolves Name Rivers Sixth Captain In Franchise History - Chicago Wolves
- Moose hit the classroom to help with 'Respond to Reading' - Manitoba Moose
- Crunch Thumped by Toronto - Syracuse Crunch
- Seven Game Road Swing Ends Tonight - Rockford IceHogs
- Turner Recalled From Gwinnett - Rockford IceHogs
- San Jose Sharks Recall Forward Ryan Vesce From Worcester - Worcester Sharks
- Admirals to Host Dog Day Afternoon Sunday - Milwaukee Admirals
- Amerks Announce Winning Wednesdays And Red Hot Sundays - Rochester Americans
- Albany Announces Freeze On Pricing - Albany River Rats
- Amerks Take On Defending Champs Tonight In Chicago - Rochester Americans
- Worcester Sharks "Be a Leader" program stops at Tatnuck Magnet School on Thursday - Worcester Sharks
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
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.
