Chicago Wolves roar past Checkers
The Chicago Wolves engineered a weekend to remember.
Playing the first-place Charlotte Checkers for the second time in less than 24 hours, the Wolves poured on the offense en route to a 6-3 victory Sunday before 10,731 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
Coupled with their dramatic 1-0 home shootout win Saturday night, the Wolves swept the crucial two-game series. The Wolves (30-18-1-3), who have won nine of their last 11 games, pulled to within 1 point of the Checkers (30-19-2-3) in the American Hockey League’s Midwest Division, and the Wolves have two games in hand.
“It was an excellent weekend for the team,” said Wolves coach Craig MacTavish. “We were tested by a good Charlotte club, but we were able to grab 4 points on our home ice.”
The Wolves broke the ice quickly when Michael Davies beat against Checkers goaltender John Muse at 2:16 of the first period, with assists going to Jordan Schroeder and Bill Sweatt.
Tim Miller put the Wolves ahead 2-0 at 11:44 of the first period with his 15th goal, as Mark Matheson and Adam Polasek earned assists.
After the Checkers rallied for a 2-2 tie in the second period, Davies and Mancari scored 44 seconds apart for a 4-2 Wolves lead. Sweatt and Schroeder assisted on Davies’ goal, while Nolan Baumgartner and Anton Rodin picked up assists on Mancari’s team-high 21st goal of the season.
The Wolves’ Kevin Connaughton scored in the third period, and Mancari added an empty-netter with nine seconds left.
Matt Climie (16-7-0) posted 32 saves to earn his seventh win in his last nine starts.