Wolves must win Saturday to stay alive

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan - Despite a pair of goals from Kenny Agostino, the American Hockey League's MVP, the Chicago Wolves suffered a 6-3 loss Monday to the Grand Rapids Griffins in Game 4 of the Central Division Finals at Van Andel Arena.

Grand Rapids captain Mitch Callahan delivered a hat trick to put the Wolves in a 3-1 hole in the best-of-seven Calder Cup Playoffs series heading into Game 5 on Saturday night at Allstate Arena.

The Griffins built a 2-0 lead early in the second period, but Agostino delivered twice in a four-minute span to pull the Wolves into a 2-2 tie at 8:30 of the second. Grand Rapids responded with goals from Martin Frk and Callahan before the period ended.

Callahan's goal, his second of the night, was particularly painful because his tally came with 1.1 seconds remaining in the second period.

Rookie center Tage Thompson knocked home his own rebound to cut the Wolves' deficit to 4-3 with 17:18 to play, but Grand Rapids' Matt Lorito restored a two-goal lead on a rebound goal with 11:08 left.

The Wolves received a boost from forwards Ivan Barbashev and Zach Sanford and defenseman Jordan Schmaltz, who joined the team Monday after the St. Louis Blues bowed out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, the Wolves played without injured AHL First All-Star Team center Wade Megan for the third time in the series.