Rivermen storm past Wolves 4-1
PEORIA — The Chicago Wolves surrendered 4 unanswered goals in the third period and dropped a 4-1 Illinois Lottery Cup contest to the Peoria Rivermen at Carver Arena on Friday night.
The Wolves’ lone goal came 2:57 into the second period. Center Steve Pinizzotto forced a turnover at the Peoria blue line and sent a pass to right wing Darren Haydar in the near circle. He deked a defenseman and slipped the puck to center Jordan Schroeder, who beat goaltender Jake Allen (32 saves).
The Wolves dropped their second straight game after opening the season with 4 consecutive victories.
The Wolves (4-2-0-0) led 1-0 after 40 minutes, but the advantage evaporated 2:54 into the third period. Rivermen right wing Chris Bruton held the puck along the far boards and found right wing Anthony Peluso streaking through the slot. He snapped a shot over the glove of Wolves goaltender Matt Climie (29 saves).
The Rivermen (2-2-1-0) took their first lead four minutes later when Climie stopped a shot by Andrew Murray, but the rebound kicked out to the point and Evgeny Grachev fired a goal at 6:54.
The third Rivermen goal came at 11:49 when forward Derek Nesbitt fanned on a shot attempt from the near circle but regained the puck and flipped a shot over Climie’s shoulder.
The Rivermen added another goal when when center T.J. Hensick and right wing Jaden Schwartz broke into the Wolves’ zone on a 2-on-1 break. Hensick passed the puck to Schwartz, who scored on a tap-in past Climie at 15:13.
The Wolves return home to host the San Antonio Rampage today at 7 p.m. at the Allstate Arena.