Wolves win 3-2 in home opener
October 18, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
ROSEMONT, Ill.---The Chicago Wolves broke a 2-2 tie with 6:57 remaining in the game to skate away with a 3-2 victory in their 15th home opener before an American Hockey League-high 11,988 fans at the Allstate Arena Saturday night. Center Matt Anderson netted the go-ahead marker at 13:03 of the final frame when right wing Spencer Machacek kicked the puck out from a scrum behind the net to a streaking Anderson, who pounced on the puck and cranked it past Peoria goaltender Ben Bishop to give Chicago (2-1-1-0) their second victory in four games this season. Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec (2-2-0) stood firm between the pipes to keep the Wolves in the game, thwarting 29 of 31 Peoria shots. The 21-year-old netminder has held opponents to two or fewer goals in each of his four games this season. "Our challenge tonight was to stay focused and keep the game simple," said Wolves Head Coach Don Granato. "Peoria played great and we fought against ourselves - never really able to get a rhythm with all the power plays and penalty kills, but guys showed resilience and that's the key. Find a way." Peoria (2-2-1-0) used a power-play opportunity to open the scoring, 11:17 into the first period. Right wing Chris Conner brought the puck around the back of the net and flipped a backhanded shot toward the goal, where the puck slipped between Pavelec's skate and the post before eventually trickling over the goal line. The Wolves drew even, 1-1, with a marker from left wing Jordan LaVallee at 14:39 of the first frame. LaVallee took a pass from right wing Joey Crabb in the left circle and chipped it up under the crossbar for his first goal of the season. Chicago pulled ahead with a goal from blueliner Jamie Rivers at 8:44 of the second period. The defenseman slid a long shot through traffic, which found its way through Bishop's pads and into the net to give the Wolves a 2-1 lead. Ben Bishop (2-2-0) turned aside 22 shots in the losing effort for the Rivermen. Peoria tied it up, 2-2, with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game when center Julian Talbot snuck a quick rip by Pavelec's left shoulder, but the squad never mustered further offense. The Wolves host the San Antonio Rampage at the Allstate Arena in the second home tilt of the season on Tue., Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.
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