Wolves can’t hold lead, fall to Comets

UTICA, N.Y. — The Chicago Wolves held the lead midway through their first visit to Utica Memorial Auditorium, but the Utica Comets rallied to earn a 2-1 victory Tuesday night.

Rookie right wing Ty Rattie produced the lone goal for the Wolves (21-15-2-2), while all-star goaltender Jake Allen (16-10-2) stopped 28 of 30 shots.

After a scoreless first period that featured several impressive saves by Allen, Rattie opened the scoring at 1:26 of the second period when he extended his stick waist-high and deflected Taylor Chorney’s shot from the point past Utica goalie Joacim Ericsson. Dmitrij Jaskin also picked up an assist on Rattie’s team-high 14th goal of the season.

Right wing Nicklas Jensen, one of nine former Wolves to suit up for Utica (13-20-2-3), tied the game at 13:03 of the second period when he claimed a loose puck in the right faceoff circle, spun and fired a wrist shot past Allen’s stick.

Former Wolves defenseman Frank Corrado produced the game-winning goal at 14:14 of the third period. After Benn Ferriero fed Corrado the puck at the blue line, Corrado carried it down the right side before wristing a sharp-angled shot off the post for the go-ahead score.

Eriksson (9-11-1) made 21 saves to pick up the win.

The Wolves continues their five-game road trip with a 2 p.m. game Saturday at North Division-leading Toronto. The Wolves return to Allstate Arena at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, against Midwest Division foe Iowa.