Wolves Double Up Griffins, 6-3
November 22, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
ROSEMONT, Ill.---The Chicago Wolves held a modest lead for 40 minutes before breaking the game open in the third period, adding three straight tallies on the way to a season-high six goals and a 6-3 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins before 11,718 at the Allstate Arena Saturday night. Right wing Jeff Hamilton led the way for Chicago (12-4-1-1) with a team season-high four points (G, 3A) in his home debut, while center Steve Martins (2G, A), right wing Joe Motzko (G, A) and left wing Brett Sterling (G, A) also added multiple points. "It certainly wasn't as easy as it might have looked tonight," said Wolves Head Coach Don Granato. "That's a very good hockey team. The power play was good for us tonight and that's progress. We're making progress." Sterling's hard shot to the top corner of the net with just under 15 minutes remaining to play held up to be the game-winner, and sparked the third period offensive outpouring which saw the Wolves snag three goals in less than three minutes. Defenseman Scott Lehman uncorked a long rocket to put the Wolves up 5-2, at 7:41 of the third frame, and Martins followed suit with his second of the game, a quick snap over the line, 44 seconds later. Grand Rapids (8-5-2-2) got the first goal of the night when they gained control on a turnover in the Wolves zone and center Evan McGrath blasted a one-timer by Chicago netminder Dan Turple to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, 18:24 in the first period. Martins got it back just 60 seconds later with the team's seventh shorthanded tally of the season when he surprised Grand Rapids netminder Jimmy Howard with a long rocket from near the blueline, pulling the Wolves even, 1-1. Jimmy Howard (4-5-0) held off 21 shots, before giving way to Daniel Larsson after 47 minutes. Larsson stopped one of two shots in 12:19 of relief duty. Chicago grabbed the lead at 4:34 of the middle while on the power-play. Hamilton took a pass from Junior Lessard, held the puck at the near circle and ripped a shot through traffic that beat a screened Howard. The Wolves inched ahead, 3-1, with a power-play tally from Motzko. The right wing sent the puck out to Hamilton near the blue line and parked himself in the left face-off circle. Hamilton collected the pass and flung the puck back to Motzko, who cranked a blast by Howard at 12:57 of the middle frame. Former Wolves captain Darren Haydar brought Grand Rapids within striking distance, 3-2, when he tipped a puck, which trickled over the goal line under Turple's glove at 16:44 of the second period. Turple (5-1-0) posted 31 saves in the win. The Griffins got a late shorthanded score from Mattias Ritola with 5:38 remaining in the game, but never pulled even. The Wolves return to action when they host the Manchester Monarchs at the Allstate Arena on Tue., Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.
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American Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2008
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