Regner's OT Goal Lifts Wolves Over Bulldogs
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Defenseman Brent Regner scored with 42.6 seconds left in overtime to boost the Chicago Wolves to a 3-2 triumph over the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday night at Allstate Arena.
Forward Shane Harper and defenseman Jake Chelios posted the first two goals for the Wolves (18-12-4-0), who host Rockford on Saturday night. Matt Climie stopped 33 shots to earn the win.
"'Climes' held us in there on a 5-on-3 that was sensational," said Wolves head coach John Anderson. "I thought we took the play to them in overtime. It was a great move (by Regner). You wouldn't think a defenseman would have that much savvy."
Regner's game-winning goal was set up by center Pat Cannone, who claimed the puck in the Wolves zone, carried it up the right side, and fed Regner heading toward the slot. Regner faked a backhand, dragged the puck back to his forehand, and flipped it past Hamilton goaltender Mike Condon for the win.
The Wolves jumped ahead on Harper's power-play goal at 8:11 of the first period. The hosts couldn't convert on a 5-on-3 advantage they enjoyed for 90 seconds, but Harper's goal came two seconds after the first penalty expired as he cleaned up a Ty Rattie blast from the left circle. Rattie and Cannone earned assists on Harper's 12th goal of the season.
Chelios's first American Hockey League goal made it 2-0 for the Wolves at 3:13 of the second period. Hamilton tried to clear the puck out of its zone by ringing around the boards, but Chelios secured it just inside the blue line and rifled a shot from the left point that whizzed past Condon.
Hamilton (15-13-6-0) sliced its deficit in half with T.J. Hensick's wraparound goal 37 seconds into the third period. Hensick swept down the right side, wheeled behind the net, and stuffed the puck inside the post.
The Bulldogs pulled even with 4:22 remaining in regulation. Defenseman Davis Drewiske found a puck along the left boards just inside the blue line and launched a wrister that went past traffic in the circle and beyond Climie's glove.
Climie (8-7-3) picked up his first win since Nov. 29. Condon (8-7-3) stopped 35 of 38 shots.
The Wolves host Rockford in an Illinois Lottery Cup contest at 7 p.m. Saturday. Wolves defenseman Brent Sopel will be honored during a pregame ceremony for reaching the 1,000 professional games milestone.
--Chicago Wolves
