Wolves complete weekend sweep of Heat
The Chicago Wolves wrapped up a weekend sweep of Western Conference-leading Abbotsford with a 2-0 triumph Sunday afternoon at Allstate Arena.
Rookie right wing Ty Rattie registered a goal and an assist, defenseman Evan Oberg delivered the other goal, and Jake Allen stopped 21 shots to earn his third shutout of the season.
“I thought today was even a better game than Saturday,” said Wolves coach John Anderson. “We were solid throughout the game and controlled it. We just played smarter with more puck possession. We didn't give the puck up as much and we didn't force plays.”
The victory coupled with Grand Rapids' 1-0 shootout win over Milwaukee keeps the Wolves (31-17-4-2) 1 point behind the Griffins (32-17-2-3) in the Midwest Division race.
The Wolves broke on top with Oberg's power-play goal at 9:27 of the first period. Alexandre Bolduc and Rattie worked to claim the puck below the goal line, then Rattie fed Oberg for a one-time blast from the left circle that whizzed past Heat goaltender Aaron Dell's glove.
The Wolves picked up an insurance goal at 12:17 when Abbotsford tried to kill off the back half of a high-sticking double-minor. Brent Regner threaded a pass across the crease and Rattie flicked it home from below the left circle. Keith Aucoin earned his 601st career assist on Rattie's team-high 21st goal.
Allen (23-12-2) rejected several late shots by Abbotsford (33-17-4-1) to register his 12th career AHL shutout. Dell (0-1-0) stopped 19 of 21 shots in his first AHL start.
The Wolves continue their four-game homestand with a game at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Rochester.