Wolves whip first-place Griffins

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Four different players scored as the Chicago Wolves capped a five-game road trip with a 6-2 win over the Western Conference-leading Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday night at Van Andel Arena.

Wolves center Adam Cracknell had a pair of goals and an assist to tie a career high in points. Defenseman Taylor Chorney chipped in 2 assists and forward Nathan Longpre netted a goal and an assist. Right wing Ty Rattie, defenseman Mark Cundari and center Alexandre Bolduc rounded out the goal scorers.

The Wolves (24-16-2-2) got on the board first at 13:29 when Cracknell scored his second game-opening goal in as many contests. Defenseman Evan Oberg led a rush up ice and sent a cross-zone pass to Cracknell, who fired a wrist shot top-corner.

Just over a minute later, the Wolves extended their lead when Longpre sent an off-balance shot through traffic that beat Griffins goaltender Tom McCollum at 14:41.

Cracknell added his second goal 12 seconds into the second period. As the Wolves put on pressured in the Griffins’ zone, Cracknell picked of a pass and scored.

The Griffins (28-13-2-2) cut into the lead with a power-play goal at 6:08 when right wing Mitch Callahan redirected a shot from the point while screening goaltender Jake Allen in front of the crease.

Following an expired power play, Rattie gave the Wolves a 3-goal margin at 9:10.

The Griffins’ Adam Almquist scored 6:44 into the third period to make it 4-2, but the Wolves’ Cundari responded 49 seconds later.

Bolduc iced the win, finishing off a tic-tac-toe passing play with Longpre and right wing Shane Harper at 18:08.

Allen (18-11-2) stopped 23 shots, while McCollum (18-9-1) kicked out 22.

The Wolves return to Allstate Arena today when they host Midwest Division rival Iowa at 7 p.m.