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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Wolves Bite Griffins, 4-2

January 21, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Chicago Wolves clawed back from an early deficit with three unanswered goals en route to a 4-2 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday at Van Andel Arena.

A goal by captain Jeff Hoggan less than nine minutes into the second period cut the Wolves' lead to 3-2, but the Griffins were unable to net the equalizer over the final 31 minutes, ultimately ceding an empty-net goal to Adam Burish with 1:04 remaining for the final margin.

The Griffins (19-16-3-1), who have played four consecutive games without earning a point for the first time in Jeff Blashill's three-year tenure as head coach, will attempt to snap their skid on Friday when the Utica Comets pay their first-ever visit to Van Andel Arena. Game time against the North Division leaders is set for 7 p.m.

Grand Rapids struck first 12:14 into the opening period, only to see Chicago answer 59 seconds later. Mark Zengerle stole the puck at the Wolves' blue line and dropped a pass to Kevin Porter, whose wrist shot from the high slot ticked off the glove of Jordan Binnington on its way into the net.

Shane Harper tied matters in short order thanks to a turnover behind the Griffins' net. He took a feed from Terry Broadhurst between the circles and quickly sent the puck past the blocker of Jared Coreau.

The Wolves (21-15-4-1) used a pair of goals early in the second period to forge a 3-1 lead. Pat Cannone set up shop just outside Coreau's crease to redirect Brent Regner's long-range attempt at the 2:14 mark, and Ty Rattie carried the puck along the arc of the left circle before beating Coreau top-shelf for a power play goal at 3:27.

Rattie had a golden opportunity to add to the visitors' lead two minutes later when he was left alone for a one-timer at the bottom of the right circle, but Coreau flashed across to the near post to rob him with his glove.

That spectacular save gained importance at the 8:37 mark, when Hoggan potted a rebound from the doorstep to cut Chicago's cushion to 3-2.

Despite outshooting the Wolves 22-14 over the last two periods and 11-6 over the final 20 minutes, the Griffins were unable to dent Binnington for a third time. He finished the night with 30 saves, while Coreau stopped 23 of 26 in defeat.

The game featured only one penalty, a hooking call against Nathan Paetsch at 2:55 of the second period that led to Rattie's goal. The Griffins were not awarded a power play in a game for the first time since opening night on Oct. 10, when they lost 4-0 to Lake Erie at Van Andel Arena.

Notes: Teemu Pulkkinen, assigned to Grand Rapids late last night after scoring his first NHL goal for Detroit against Minnesota, saw his eight-game goal streak as a Griffin come to an end. It tied Donald MacLean's run from 2005-06 as the longest in franchise history...The Griffins, who beat Chicago 5-1 in their most recent home game on Jan. 10, are 9-3-1-1 in their last 14 games at Van Andel Arena...The last time Grand Rapids lost four straight games in regulation was during a 0-5 streak from March 23-April 2, 2011, during the third of Curt Fraser's four seasons behind the bench.

Three Stars: 1. GR Cannone (goal, assist); 2. CHI Rattie (power play goal); 3. GR Hoggan (goal)

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