Wolves blank Barons for fourth straight win

Magnus Paajarvi scored with 1:16 left in the third period to give the Chicago Wolves a 1-0 victory over Oklahoma City on Friday night at Allstate Arena.

Goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 29 shots against the American Hockey League's top team as the Wolves (26-18-5-1) ran their winning streak to four games.

"It's one of those games where it's a measuring stick to see where we are," said Wolves coach John Anderson. "That's the first-place team overall. If we know we can compete with them on a nightly basis, there's a chance."

The Wolves and Barons (30-12-3-3) played two scoreless periods without any penalties.

"The first period they owned," Paajarvi said. "The second period we owned."

The Wolves finally broke through at the 18:44 mark of the third period at the end of an extended possession. Adam Burish's shot from the slot was blocked by goaltender Laurent Brossoit (14-8-2, 34 saves) toward the bottom of the left circle. Ty Rattie claimed the puck and saucered a pass across the crease to Paajarvi, who was waiting next to the net to tap it home for the game-winning goal against his former team.

Binnington (17-9-3), who started his 12th game in a row, earned his second shutout of the season.

The teams tied a Wolves franchise record by combining for just 2 penalty minutes, and it was the first time in team history the Wolves' opponent did not take a penalty.

The Wolves continue their seven-game homestand with a 4 p.m. game Sunday against Midwest Division rival Grand Rapids.