Wolves fall 4-2 to Stars
The Chicago Wolves saw a 2-0 lead erased by four straight Texas Stars tallies as they fell, 4-2, before a crowd of 11,626 in their second annual “School Day Game” at Allstate Arena Wednesday.
The Wolves (21-18-2-2) used a pair of second-period power-play goals by forwards Jared Ross and Nigel Dawes to build their lead, but failed to find the back of the net in the third period.
“We played really well for two periods and our effort was very good, so this was unfortunate,” said Wolves head coach Don Lever. “They got two quick goals, which was too bad because (goalie) Peter (Mannino) played a heck of a game.”
The Wolves opened scoring, 56 seconds into the second period when center Jason Krog came streaking into the zone and slipped a backhanded pass across the ice for center Ross, who banged it past Texas goaltender Richard Bachman.
Chicago took a 2-0 lead at 7:43 into the second period. Wolves goaltender Peter Mannino started the play behind the Wolves net and sent it out to Krog, who carried it down the ice before flipping a pass to Dawes. Dawes took a shot, collected the rebound and flicked it past Bachman.
Bachman (14-7-2) turned aside 31 shots for the Stars.
Texas (22-13-2-2) cut the Wolves lead to 2-1 with 1:28 remaining in the second period. Left wing Fabian Brunnstrom worked the puck out from the boards behind the net and got a pass out to defenseman Dan Spang in front for a quick snap past Mannino.
Brunnstrom brought Texas even, 2-2, after he gathered the puck after a turnover in the neutral zone, moved in an fired shot past Mannino from the left face-off circle at 1:49 of the third period.
The Stars took a 3-2 lead 43 seconds later when defenseman Maxime Fortunus cranked a shot from the blueline that right wing Colton Sceviour was able to tip out of the air and past Mannino.
Mannino (12-10-1) posted 22 saves in the loss for the Wolves.
Brunnstrom iced the game for Texas with an empty net goal at 19:02 of the third period to round out scoring, 4-2.
The Wolves will host three home games in three days this weekend, beginning when the Houston Aeros visit the Allstate Arena on Friday at 7:30 p.m.