AHL Chicago Wolves

Wolves erupt for 7-1 victory

Published on October 24, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


ROSEMONT, Ill.---The Chicago Wolves exploded for a season-high seven goals to pick up their first win under new head coach Don Lever, 7-1, against the Abbotsford Heat at the Allstate Arena Saturday night.

Chicago's six-goal output in the game's first 40 minutes alone was more than the team had scored in its last three games combined, while the near shutout marked 121:34 of the Wolves holding their opponent scoreless. Netminder Manny Legace blanked the Manitoba Moose on all 30 shots in a shootout loss for the Wolves on Friday night.

Right wing Spencer Machacek (2G, 2A), center Jason Krog (G, 3A) and left wing Brett Sterling (G, 3A) paced the Wolves with four points each in helping Chicago (2-5-0-1) pick up its first win in four games.

Defenseman Chris Chelios added his first two points (2A) as a member of the Wolves in the tilt, while MacIntyre (1-4-0) earned his first win in a Wolves uniform, recording 30 saves on 31 shots.

"It's certainly nice to look up at the scoreboard and see a seven-goal lead," said Lever. "I liked the way we played. We weren't playing like we had a big lead, we were playing to get the shutout. The work ethic was right up there."

Right wing Andrew Kozek opened up the scoring with his third goal of the season, 10:41 into the first period. Kozek picked up a loose puck near the blueline and charged at Abbotsford's net. Heat goaltender David Shantz came out to meet him, but he pulled up and moved the puck around him before depositing it into the net to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead.

Machacek made the Wolves lead two at with 1:55 left in the first period when he stole the puck from Shantz as the goaltender went to play it behind the net, and quickly wrapped it around into the empty net.

Chicago took a 3-0 lead with a second tally from Machacek, 10:03 into the second period when he flung a long shot past Shantz.

Krog got his first of the season to put the Wolves up 4-0 when he cranked a shot past Shantz from the left face off circle at 12:46.

Shantz (1-1-0) turned aside 28 shots for the Heat.

Sterling roofed a shot off a quick cross-ice pass from Machacek to give the Wolves a 5-0 lead with 1:46 left in the second period, and right wing Tim Stapleton popped home a shot 72 seconds later to send Chicago into the second intermission with a 6-0 lead - the first time in eight games this season the club held a lead heading into the final 20 minutes.

Right wing Joey Crabb added a seventh tally for Chicago at the 15:58 mark of the final period.

Defenseman Matt Pelech got one for Abbotsford (4-3-2-1) when he cranked a long shot five hole to ruin MacIntyre's shutout with 3:26 left in the game.

The Wolves host the Rockford IceHogs at the Allstate Arena on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2009


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