Wolves beat Griffins in OT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Wolves inserted three new players into their lineup Sunday, but it was the familiar face who sparked a 4-3 overtime victory against Grand Rapids at Van Andel Arena. In the process, the Wolves snapped the Griffins' 14-game home winning streak.

Captain Pat Cannone recorded his second career hat trick with the Wolves, providing the game-winner at 2:29 of overtime, a power-play goal scored from close range. The goal was Cannone's team-leading 13th of the season, and extended his point streak to 5 games.

Earlier in the day, Chicago (18-17-1-2) signed defensemen Drew Daniels, Jared Nightingale and Joel Chouinard to PTO contracts to fill out a roster depleted by injuries and reassignments. Chicago's special teams also excelled, scoring twice on the power play and killing off all 6 man-down situations.

Grand Rapids (23-13-0-1) twice claimed leads, only to see the Wolves pull even. Grand Rapids' A.J. Jenks opened scoring at 15:28 of the first period, knocking in a loose rebound to the right of the net. Chicago responded at 18:37 on Cannone's first goal of the day - a short-handed tally.

The Griffins reclaimed a 2-1 lead 52 seconds into the second period when Andy Miele skated into the slot and lifted a backhander over the shoulder of goaltender Pheonix Copley. Chicago answered with Petteri Lindbohm's goal, a slap shot ripped from just inside the blueline at 15:02.

The teams exchanged third period goals to force overtime. Cannone tipped in a shot from Jordan Caron at 2:41, and Tomas Nosek circled from behind the net, shook off a defender, and lifted a high shot into the net at 4:23.

Copley (10-11-1) finished with 22 saves while counterpart Jared Coreau (19-6-1) turned away 33 shots.

The Wolves continue their road trip with a pair of games at Charlotte next weekend (Jan. 22-23).