Binnington, Wolves blank Utica

UTICA, N.Y. - Faced with playing the team that owned the American Hockey League's best record and fewest goals allowed, the Chicago Wolves came through with a 3-0 victory over Utica on Wednesday night at the Memorial Auditorium.

Forwards Ty Rattie, Terry Broadhurst and Pat Cannone scored the goals for the Wolves (9-2-2-0), while first-year goaltender Jordan Binnington (4-1-1) rejected all 30 shots he faced from Utica (10-2-2-0) to earn his first AHL shutout.

The Wolves have won four games in a row - all on the road in an eight-day stretch.

Despite being outshot 20-4 in the first 26 minutes, the Wolves opened the scoring when Rattie converted a breakaway at 6:55 of the second period. Rattie's backcheck set up the play as Pat Cannone corralled the loose puck and fed it to Philip McRae, who threaded a pass down the middle to Rattie. The team's leading scorer deked goaltender Joacim Eriksson (4-2-1, 16 saves) and beat him with a backhand flip over his glove.

The Wolves increased their lead to 2-0 on Broadhurst's power-play goal at 18:47 of the second. Defenseman Petteri Lindbohm carried the puck along the left boards and spotted Shane Harper, who wiggled down the slot and slid a backhand pass to Broadhurst for a one-timer from the right circle.

The Wolves added an insurance goal with 3:45 to go when Cannone slapped home a one-timer from the slot on the power play. McRae set him up with a centering pass from the bottom of the right circle and Brent Sopel also picked up an assist.

The Wolves' nine-game road trip continues at 6 p.m. Friday at Utica. The Wolves return to Allstate Arena on Saturday, Nov. 22.