Wolves shoot early, often to net crucial victory
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Chicago Wolves took advantage of undermanned Oklahoma City to launch a season-high 48 shots and earn a 4-1 victory Sunday afternoon at Cox Convention Center.
Forwards Shane Harper, Ty Rattie and Jeremy Welsh and defenseman Colton Parayko scored for the Wolves (31-25-6-1), who picked up their second win over the Barons in as many days to maintain pace in the tight Western Conference playoff race.
Wolves goaltender Matt Climie (11-12-3) rejected 24 shots to earn the win.
The West Division co-leader Barons (37-20-5-3) dressed just 15 skaters - three fewer than the norm - and lost one of their nine forwards because of an injury six minutes into the game.
But the Barons took a 1-0 lead on center Jason Williams' slap shot from the left point with 10:30 gone in the first period. Williams' 20th goal came moments after Barons goaltender Laurent Brossoit roamed above the circles to break up a potential 2-on-none Wolves breakaway. Brossoit (21-16-5), who started his 19th consecutive game, recorded a career-high 44 saves.
The Wolves pulled even at 16:09 of the first when Rattie anticipated a giveaway in the slot and rifled the puck past Brossoit. The Barons' errant pass came moments after they killed a power play spent almost entirely in their defensive zone.
The Wolves took the lead for good with six seconds left in the first period when Yannick Veilleux's shot from the high slot banged off Harper and dropped to his feet outside the crease. Harper found the puck and lifted it top-shelf over Brossoit's glove.
The Wolves peppered Brossoit throughout the second period, but couldn't solve him until Parayko blistered a slap shot from the point at 16:11. Rookie Jacob Doty's faceoff win set up the rookie defenseman's first professional goal.
Welsh's rebound goal 1:40 into the third boosted the Wolves' lead to 4-1. Defenseman Jake Chelios controlled the puck behind the Barons net and fed Rattie for a one-timer from the right circle. Brossoit blocked that rocket, but Welsh positioned himself just outside the crease to knock home the carom.
The Wolves wrap up their road trip with a 7 p.m. game Friday at Milwaukee before hosting the Admirals at 7 p.m. Saturday as part of the Amtrak Rivalry.