Wolves Lose To Griffins 3-2

Rosemont, Ill.---The Chicago Wolves claimed a brief second-period lead before Grand Rapids rallied for a 3-2 victory Saturday night at Allstate Arena.

Center Corey Locke posted one goal and one assist for the Wolves (3-4-0-1). Defenseman Brent Regner delivered the power-play goal at 12:40 of the second that nudged the Wolves into the lead.

"We played well enough to win," said Wolves head coach John Anderson. "Their goalie stopped a couple breakaways in the third and the only mistake we made ended up in the back of our net."

Grand Rapids (3-2-1-1), the reigning Calder Cup champions, opened the scoring at 8:59 of the first period as right wing Teemu Pulkkinen took a pass from Cory Emmerton in the slot and roofed a shot off the crossbar and just across the goal line.

The Wolves pulled even at 17:53 when Shane Harper's pass sent Locke on a breakaway down the middle of the ice. Locke skated to goaltender Tom McCollum's left and lifted a backhander over his glove for his third goal of the season. David Shields also earned an assist on the play.

The Wolves took a 2-1 lead when Regner drilled a slap shot from the right point through traffic and past McCollum at 12:40 of the second period. Locke and Michael Davies picked up assists on the power-play tally.

The Griffins needed just 10 seconds to erase the deficit as center Calle Jarnkrok claimed a bouncing puck in the left circle and lifted a shot over goaltender Matt Climie's left shoulder.

Grand Rapids made the Wolves pay for a too many men penalty to seize a 3-2 lead with 40 seconds left in the second period. Tomas Jurco scored the power-play goal as he stood in front of the crease and tapped in the rebound of Gustav Nyquist's wrist shot from the right circle.

McCollum (2-0-0) posted 32 saves for the win. Climie (0-3-0) registered 23 saves.

Chicago Wolves