Wolves still winless after loss to Grand Rapids

The Chicago Wolves are still searching for their first win of the 2026-27 American Hockey League season after dropping a 5-1 decision to the Griffins on Sunday in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Stiven Sardarian scored for the Wolves but Jesse Kiiskinen had three goals and an assist to propel the Griffins in the first meeting of the season between the Central Division rivals. Chicago dropped to 0-4-0-0 on the young season and will look for its first victory when it hosts the Iowa Wild next Saturday night at Allstate Arena.

Kiiskinen scored twice in the first period and completed the hat trick with a marker early in the second to stake the Griffins to a 3-0 advantage.

A short time later, Sardarian notched his first professional goal to pull the Wolves to within 3-1. While battling in front, the rookie knocked home a rebound of a Viktor Neuchev shot past Grand Rapids netminder Michal Postava. Neuchev and Ivan Ryabkin recorded assists on the goal.

Grand Rapids pulled away in the third on tallies by Dylan James and Dominik Shine to cap the scoring.

Zach Sawchenko (17 saves) suffered the loss in goal for the Wolves while Postava (22 saves) got the win for the Griffins.

Grand Rapids improved to 3-1-1-0 with the victory.