Kristo's OT goal wins it for Chicago Wolves
SAN ANTONIO - Danny Kristo scored 53 seconds into overtime to lead the Chicago Wolves to a 4-3 victory over the San Antonio Rampage in a clash of division leaders Sunday at the AT&T Center. It was the fifth straight win for the Wolves.
Kristo's overtime game-winner was his second in as many games, helping the Wolves to a weekend sweep of the Rampage. Cody Beach, Jordan Caron and Ty Rattie also scored for the Wolves, who exploded for 3 goals in the third period to force overtime after being held off the board for 50 minutes.
Chicago (7-1-0-1) remains atop the Central Division, having collected points in seven straight games and in eight of nine this season. San Antonio (6-0-4-0) still hasn't lost in regulation after playing its third game in as many days.
The Rampage scored just 49 seconds into the opening period on Troy Bourke's first goal of the season. Maxim Noreau launched a shot on goal that Bourke redirected in front of Wolves goaltender Pheonix Copley. The goal snapped Copley's shutout streak at 121 minutes and 2 seconds. Copley later turned away Mikko Rantanen on a short-handed breakaway midway through the first period.
San Antonio went up 2-0 at 8:59 of the third when Sam Henley's outlet pass found Colin Smith, who having just exited the penalty box, broke in alone on Copley and scored on the forehand.
The Wolves responded in less than a minute, as Cody Beach scored his first goal of the season on a deflection of Chris Butler's shot from inside the blue line. Chicago tied the contest 126 seconds later, when Jordan Caron collected a rebound and tucked a backhanded shot past goalie Roman Will.
San Antonio appeared to lock up the victory when Nikita Zadorov scored with 2:10 left in regulation. Zadorov went coast to coast to slip the puck between Copley's pads. The Wolves pushed back with a goal just 36 seconds later on Ty Rattie's backhander in the slot.
Copley (3-1-0) stopped 28 of 31 shots for the Wolves, while Will (0-0-1) lost his season debut for San Antonio, turning away 21 of 25 shots.
The Wolves' next game is 7 p.m. Thursday at Manitoba. The team returns to the Allstate Arena on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. for Salute to Military Families Night, presented by Kia and Magellan. The Wolves then host Star Wars Day at 4 p.m. on Nov. 22.