Wolves rally, win 2-1 in shootout
The Chicago Wolves rallied in the third period and persevered in the shootout to grab a 2-1 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs on Saturday night at the Allstate Arena.
Rookie center Sergio Somma scored the shootout winner in his second American Hockey League game, while forwards Mike Davies and Ryan Garbutt also converted on their attempts.
Wolves goaltender Edward Pasquale stopped 3 of 5 Bulldogs attempts in the shootout.
The win keeps the Wolves in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the West Division, with Chicago (37-27-3-6) moving into a three-way tie with Oklahoma City and Peoria for fourth place in the standings.
“They played a really tough, grinding game. Mac played well at their end and Eddie played well at our end,” Wolves coach Don Lever said. “Our work ethic was really strong. We never quit, and we got rewarded.”
After trailing 1-0 since early in the first period, defenseman Mark Matheson evened the score for the Wolves 6:15 into the third period.
Center Riley Holzapfel carried the puck up the ice and chipped it to Matheson just past the blue line, and Matheson moved in a ripped a shot past Hamilton goalie Drew MacIntyre from the left circle.
MacIntyre (16-9-3), who began the season in 20 games with the Wolves, turned aside 27 of his former teammates’ shots.
Hamilton (36-26-2-7) opened scoring when J.T. Wyman held the puck behind the goal line and banked a shot off the back of Pasquale and into the net at 8:36 of the first period.
Pasquale (10-8-1) posted 31 saves in regulation and overtime for the Wolves.
The Wolves host the Rockford IceHogs at the Allstate Arena on Sunday at 3 p.m.