Wolves Upend Griffins, 7-4
Published on December 26, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.---The Chicago Wolves found themselves in an early 2-1 deficit, but closed out the first period with three straight goals on their way to knocking off the Grand Rapids Griffins, 7-4, at Van Andel Arena Saturday night.
Right wing Joey Crabb led the way for Chicago (15-14-0-2) with a goal and two assists on the night, while right wing Tim Stapleton (G, A) and defenseman Nathan Oystrick (2A) also tallied multiple-points for the Wolves.
Right wing Jan Mursak cracked the scoreboard first for Grand Rapids (18-13-0-1) at 4:15 of the first period. Mursak received a pass up the middle from defenseman Jakub Kindl and then ripped a shot from the boards that went past Wolves netminder, Peter Mannino, five-hole.
Just 21 seconds later, center Riley Holzapfel evened up the score for Chicago. Oystrick took a pass from Kevin Doell and continued to pass it across to Holzapfel, who one-timed a shot over Griffins goaltender Thomas McCollum, top-shelf.
Grand Rapids regained the lead at 5:42 when center Cory Emmerton took a backhanded shot from the boards and left wing Mattias Ritola was able to redirect it past Mannino for the 2-1 lead.
Peter Mannino (5-2-0) recorded 31 saves in the winning effort.
Chicago evened the score at two while on the power play 59 seconds later. Stapleton sent a centering pass into the goal crease that center Johnny Pohl was able to ricochet off of McCollum's back and into the net.
Chicago took their first lead of the game at 8:32 of the first period when Crabb knocked down a Griffins pass from the air and dropped it at his feet before releasing a shot on McCollum that beat him stick-side to make the score 3-2, Wolves.
Left wing Brett Sterling gave the Wolves a 4-2 lead with 3:36 remaining in the period. A Griffins defenseman knocked the puck away from center Jason Krog, but Sterling was able to regain control and place the puck above McCollum's glove and under the crossbar.
McCollum posted 11 saves in 20 minutes of action, before being replaced by Daniel Larsson (11-7-1), who made 16 saves.
Grand Rapids cut the Wolves lead to one when left wing Mike Walsh received a pass on the point from Emmerton and ripped a shot past Mannino, stick-side at 3:44 of the second period.
The Wolves regained a two-goal lead when left wing Andrew Kozek took control of the puck behind the Griffins goal and passed it off to center Rylan Kaip. Kaip sent a centering pass over to defenseman Paul Postma, who wristed a shot from the point past Larsson, glove-side, at 8:11 of the second period.
Stapleton pushed the Wolves lead to three with a wrap-around goal past Larsson's stick side at 14:53.
Chicago tallied its second power-play goal of the night at 5:30 of the third period. Crabb pulled and dragged the puck from the backhand and sent a centering pass along the ice to center Matt Anderson, who redirected into the net for the goal.
Griffins center Patrick Rissmiller rounded out the scoring when he sent in a loose rebound at 18:35 on the power play.
The Wolves continue their regular season slate against the Rockford IceHogs at the Allstate Arena tomorrow, Dec. 27 at 3 p.m.
American Hockey League Stories from December 26, 2009
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- Rampage Shoot Down Aeros In 4-2 Victory - San Antonio Rampage
- Dibenedetto's Winner Lifts Sound Tigers Over Wolf Pack In Shootout - Bridgeport Islanders
- Amerks Back In The First Place After Third-Period Comeback - Rochester Americans
- Sound Tigers defeat Wolf Pack - Connecticut Whale
- Griffins Fall 7-4 to Wolves - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Monarchs Return With Overtime Win - Manchester Monarchs
- Penguins Edge Albany 2-1 - Albany River Rats
- B-Sens Flail In Third Period, Phantoms Win 3-2 - Binghamton Senators
- Bulldogs Edged 4-2 By Americans - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Phantoms Top Senators 3-2 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Devils Blast Bruins, 5-1 - Albany Devils
- Sharks Declaw Falcons, 7-2 - Worcester Sharks
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- Dallas Stars Return Vishnevskiy - Texas Stars
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