Pinizzotto's Pair Earns Wolves 2-1 Win In Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Chicago Wolves rebounded from Sunday afternoon's loss to the Charlotte Checkers with a 2-1 win Tuesday night in front of 4,404 at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Center Steve Pinizzotto delivered his first two goals for the Wolves --- his first goals in a regular-season game since April 1, 2011 --- to pull Chicago (7-3-1-0) into a tie with Charlotte for the most points in the American Hockey League with 15.
Goaltender Eddie Lack (6-2-0) stopped 24 shots to earn the win.
Left wing Chris Terry opened scoring for the Checkers 12:44 into the first period, tipping a pass from Bobby Sanguinetti past Lack. The Wolves opened the second period with a response as Pinizzotto, who missed the entire 2011-12 season with an injury, got his first score by beating Checkers goaltender Dan Ellis (3-2-1) glove side at 1:04.
Then it was Pinizzotto again, pouncing on another rebound at the foot of Ellis and tipping it home at 12:50. The 2-1 edge was the first Wolves lead through 92 minutes of play in the two-game series.
Zack Kassian tried to increase Chicago's advantage moments later, shooting a puck past Ellis from a scrum in front of the Charlotte net, but the goal was waved off due to goalie interference.
A second near-score by the Wolves, this time from Darren Haydar, was called back late in the third period because of a hand pass.
Charlotte pulled Ellis with more than a minute left in regulation for an extra attacker, but the third period closed without a score and the Wolves carried their 2-1 lead to the buzzer. The Wolves posted a season-high 43 shots as Ellis finished with 41 saves.
Chicago will continue its road swing with an Amtrak Rivalry game at 7 p.m. Friday at Milwaukee.
--The Chicago Wolves