Pavelec, Wolves give fans plenty to cheer about

Twenty-year-old rookie goaltender Ondrej Pavelec had heard a rumor about the Chicago Wolves' fans before playing in his first home game on Saturday.

"I heard they had better fans than the Blackhawks," Pavelec said.

Pavelec couldn't confirm that, as he's not yet been to the United Center, but he did like the sound the Allstate Arena crowd of 10,209 made as the Wolves pulled out a 2-1 overtime win against the Milwaukee Admirals in the home opener.

Brian Fahey, a Glenview native, brought on the night's loudest cheers when he scored the game-winner with a slap shot into the left corner of the net at 1:46 of overtime.

For a team that struggled at the Allstate Arena and especially against the Admirals last season -- the Wolves were winless in five home regular-season games against Milwaukee -- it was the sort of start the Wolves were hoping for.

"We have to be better than .500 this year," coach John Anderson said. "We lost our last three home openers, so it's a monkey off our back. Hopefully, it's a sign of things to come."

The Wolves also hope Pavelec's first two professional starts are a sign. In two games, Pavelec has 2 wins and has allowed 3 goals.

On Saturday, Pavelec, a native of the Czech Republic, made 22 saves and helped the Wolves penalty kill 8 Milwaukee power-play chances.

"He exudes confidence," Anderson said. "He's played well in his first two games."

While the penalty-killing unit was strong all evening, allowing 1 goal, the Wolves' power play struggled. Until Fahey's game-winner on a 4-on-3 power play, the Wolves were scoreless on their first nine man advantages.

Jason Krog scored the Wolves' first goal on a rebound from a slap shot by Jordan LaVallee in the second period. The Admirals tied the game at 1-1 with a power-play goal later in the period.

It was a good night for past and present Wolves. Darren Haydar, the Wolves' captain and last year's AHL MVP, made the most of his first game with the Atlanta Thrashers after being called up on Thursday. Haydar scored his first NHL goal and later dished out his first assist in the Thrashers' loss on Saturday.

Prior to the game, the Wolves paid respect to recently deceased Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz with a moment of silence.