Wolves fall in team's first meeting with Manchester

MANCHESTER, N.H. --The Chicago Wolves took a 1-0 lead just over three minutes into the game, but the Manchester Monarchs answered with 4 straight goals on the way to a 7-4 victory in the first-ever meeting between the teams Saturday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

The loss was fourth straight defeat for the Wolves (17-6-1-0), who share first place in the AHL's Western Conference with 35 points.

The Wolves opened the scoring at the 3:22 mark when right wing Joey Crabb and left wing Brett Sterling worked a give-and-go, and Crabb ripped a shot from between the circles past Monarchs goaltender Daniel Taylor for his third goal of the year.

Manchestertied the score at 1-1 just 37 seconds later as Teddy Purcellfired a wrister past Wolves rookie goalie Ondrej Pavelec.

The Monarchs then went on to score 3 more goals to open a 4-1 lead. Center Trevor Lewis scored on a redirect, while on the power play at 11:23, and center David Meckler scored from the far circle past a screened Pavelec at 18:12.

Lewis added his second goal of the night while on the power play, 4:35 into the second period.

The Wolves drew to within 4-2 when Colin Stuart's wraparound attempt was stopped by Taylor, but center Kevin Doell was on the doorstep to stuff home the rebound at 13:53.

Manchester then regained its 3-goal lead when left wing Matt Moulson took a pass from Lewis and pushed the puck past Pavelec at 18:46. The goal chased Pavelec, who was replaced by Robert Gherson.