Wolves finally take a loss

It was bound to happen.

After 14 games, the Chicago Wolves finally proved they weren't hockey gods.

There would be no unbeatable goaltender, no last-second heroics, no lucky bounces or anything else that resembled invincibility Sunday at the Allstate Arena.

The San Antonio Rampage proved that the Wolves are human. as they lost 4-0 for the first time this season in regulation.

"With this run, we've had a lot of bounces go our way," said Wolves coach John Anderson, whose team fell to 13-1-1-0. "It wasn't like we were horrible. I wasn't upset with how we played."

The Wolves actually opened with one of their best first periods of the season, outshooting the Rampage 13-9. The problem in the first period, as it was the whole game, was that the Wolves couldn't find the inside of the net.

Goaltender David LeNeveu stopped all 35 shots, and the Wolves failed to capitalize on six power-play chances.

The Rampage was even worse on the power play, going scoreless on all eight opportunities. The Rampage did score twice in the second period at even strength to build a lead.

The first goal snapped Wolves goaltender Robert Gherson's scoreless streak at 134:55. Gherson, who had a shutout Saturday, had his moments in the loss and finished with 20 saves.

"Gherson played a good game," Wolves veteran Steve Martins said. "He made some phenomenal saves. He kept us in the game."

Anderson said after the game that he no longer is a candidate for the Atlanta Thrashers coaching position.

He was notified by Thrashers general manager and interim coach Don Waddell late last week that the position would be filled internally.

Anderson, who hasn't had a chance to coach in the NHL, had hoped to at least get an interview.

"Of course, I was disappointed," Anderson said. "I was very disappointed. I couldn't worry about something that was out of my control. The good thing is I have a good job here. It's not like I'm going to purgatory."