Binnington solid at Wolves skate past Checkers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Chicago Wolves scored 3 goals in the second period and goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 39 shots in a 4-1 victory over Charlotte on Friday night at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Forwards Shane Harper, Adam Burish, Philip McRae and Terry Broadhurst scored for the Wolves (23-18-5-1), who built a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes against the Checkers (16-24-5-1).

Binnington, who made his ninth consecutive start, boosted his record to 14-9-3.

Harper provided the opening goal at 3:17 of the first when Broadhurst led him with a pass that allowed him to roar down the right side past the defense. As Harper reached the crease, he used a pull-and-drag maneuver to keep the puck away from goaltender Drew MacIntyre's poke check and then slid it home. Broadhurst and Pat Cannone earned assists on Harper's team-high 19th goal of the season.

The Wolves boosted their margin to 2-0 on Burish's power-play goal 2:50 into the second. McRae set up along the half-wall and fed the puck in front of the crease to Welsh, who sent a no-look backhand pass between a defenseman's legs to Burish for a one-timer.

The lead increased to 3-0 at 9:46 of the second when defenseman Petteri Lindbohm whistled a wrister from the left point that McRae redirected past MacIntyre.

Harper returned the favor to Broadhurst at 15:15 of the second when Harper won a puck battle in the corner and delivered a pass to Broadhurst at the bottom of the right circle. Broadhurst flicked home a quick shot at close range to give the Wolves a 4-0 lead and send MacIntyre out of the game in favor of backup John Muse.

Binnington's bid for his second shutout this season ended with 4:41 to play. After Charlotte enjoyed an extended stretch in the offensive zone, Alex Aleardi set up Brody Sutter for a one-timer from the slot.

MacIntyre (13-15-4) stopped 16 of 20 shots in the loss, while Muse posted 11 saves.

The Wolves face Charlotte again at 6 p.m. today before starting a seven-game stretch at Allstate Arena with a 7 p.m. game Wednesday against Milwaukee.