Wolves win matinee 3-1
HOUSTON — The Chicago Wolves scored 3 straight goals on their way to a 3-1 victory over the Houston Aeros on Thursday afternoon at the Toyota Center.
Forwards Andre Deveaux and Riley Holzapfel and defenseman Noah Welch scored goals, while goaltender Peter Mannino held Houston scoreless for the first 56:48.
The Wolves (28-23-2-4) took the early 1-0 lead 5:57 into the game with a power-play strike. Defenseman Andrey Zubrarev ripped a shot from the left faceoff circle, allowing Deveaux to redirect the puck behind Houston goalie Anton Khudobin.
The Wolves made it 2-0 when defenseman Jaime Sifers held the puck at the point before passing to Welch, who skated into the slot and redirected the puck past Khudobin 12:24 into the second period.
Holzapfel one-timed a pass from the side of the crease in the empty side of the net 37 seconds later to make it 3-0.
Houston got on board with 3:12 left in the game when right wing Jon DiSalvatore redirected a pass in the slot beating Mannino, who made 34 saves in the win.
The Wolves travel to the Rockford MetroCentre to take on the Rockford IceHogs Friday at 7 p.m.