Overtime battle for first doesn't go Wolves' way

Posted March 17, 2017 6:01 pm

Daily Herald News Services Special to the Daily Herald

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich - The Chicago Wolves came within moments of a regulation win that would have seized first place in the Central Division.

Then the Grand Rapids Griffins scored with nine seconds left in regulation and came through in overtime for a 5-4 victory on Friday night at Van Andel Arena.

The Griffins and Wolves enter Saturday's 7 p.m. rematch at Allstate Arena with 83 points apiece, but Grand Rapids holds two games in hand to own the better winning percentage.

Defenseman Petteri Lindbohm scored with 1:51 remaining in regulation to lift the Wolves (37-17-6-3) to a 4-3 lead, but the Griffins pulled their goalie and benefited from the extra skater as Tomas Nosek scored with 0:09 left to force overtime.

Once in the extra session, Evgeny Svechnikov scored at 1:51 to give Grand Rapids (39-17-1-4) the extra point.

Forwards Ty Rattie and Brad Malone and defenseman Kevin Tansey also scored for the Wolves. Goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 33 shots. Grand Rapids netminder Jared Coreau posted 25 saves.

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