Wolves continue strong scoring in win over Griffins
Andrew Agozzino netted the game-winning goal and three other skaters scored to help the Chicago Wolves upend the Grand Rapids Griffins, 4-1, Sunday afternoon at Allstate Arena.
Kenny Agostino extended his point streak to six games with an assist while Jordan Caron collected his first goal of the season en route to the Wolves' sixth straight game in which they've scored four or more goals. Wolves goaltender Pheonix Copley (5-3-1) made 27 saves in his second consecutive start.
"I thought we picked our game up," said Wolves head coach Craig Berube. "Everybody is contributing. That's the biggest thing. Everybody is involved on all four lines for all 60 minutes."
After a scoreless first period, Grand Rapids (14-7-1-2) opened scoring at 2:25 of the second period when Evgeny Svechnikov netted his fourth goal of the season.
Less than five minutes later, Wolves forward Bryce Gervais knotted the game, 1-1. Defenseman Jordan Schmaltz led a 3-on-1 rush up the right-wing boards. He dished a short pass to Justin Selman near the center of the same-side circle. Selman then pushed the puck along to Gervais skating down the slot for an easy wrist shot.
The Wolves (13-9-2-1) took a 2-1 lead at the 12:23 mark of the second session as center Ivan Barbashev skated up the left wing. He caught Agozzino flying up the slot for a chance that went top shelf past Griffins goaltender Jared Coreau (9-6-0).
The Griffins pressured through the final frame looking to tie the game. However, captain Chris Butler made an outlet pass from the defensive end into the neutral zone and Gervais skated in for a near-breakaway chance. Coreau made the initial save, but Caron chipped in the rebound from near the goal line as he followed the play into the offensive zone.
Grand Rapids pulled its goaltender with 3:06 to play in the game. Alex Friesen and Wade Megan escaped the defensive zone for a 2-on-1 rush. Friesen fed Megan and the Wolves' leading goal scorer potted his 11th marker of the season for the 4-1 final score.
Coreau turned aside 16 shots in the loss.