Crabb's hat trick carries Wolves to 5-1 win

Right wing Joey Crabb posted the Chicago Wolves' first hat trick of the season, finishing with a career-high 4 points to lift the Wolves to a 5-1 victory over the Peoria Rivermen on Wednesday night at the Allstate Arena.

Crabb's hat trick was the first of his three-year professional career, and the Wolves' second 4-point effort this season. Right wing Jeff Hamilton (3 assists) and defenseman Brett Skinner (2 assists) also had multiple points in the win.

The Wolves' fifth straight victory on home ice put them at 25-22-2-1 overall and in a tie for third place in the tight West Division race.

"The penalty-kill was solid tonight, which was great, especially after those power-play goals," said Wolves coach Don Granato. "I think we killed 4 penalties in the third period and didn't allow them anything, and that was what helped us."

Wolves goalie Ondrej Pavelec (8-7-1) turned aside 30 of 31 shots.