BAD LUCK AND BAD BOUNCES

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The bounces continued to go in favor of the opposition as the Grand Rapids Griffins surrendered their seventh consecutive loss, a 5-3 decision at the claws of the Chicago Wolves Saturday night at Allstate Arena.

Grand Rapids will look to gain revenge next Friday when the Wolves roll into town for their first visit to Van Andel Arena this season during Travis Richard’s night at 7 p.m. EST.

The Griffins suffered from a bad bounce at 14:45 of the opening frame when Jason Krog deflected the puck up in the air which fluttered into the net over a challenging Jimmy Howard. Just 43 seconds later, Kip Miller responded against his former team during a power play after Jonathan Ericsson launched a low-shot from the point that rebounded to the veteran.

The goal snapped a special teams drought as the Griffins previously went 12-straight power play opportunities, dating back to November 11th without converting during the man-advantage.

The wrath of the Wolves was prevalent during the second period forcing the Griffins to face a 1-4 deficit at the start of the final frame. Jordan LaVallee slid a centering attempt to the goal mouth and connected with Joey Crabb at 5:12 who launched a shot upstairs.

Chicago continued to punish the Griffins as they the scored their third and forth goals less than one minute apart. Alex Bourret jammed in a rebound during a power play at 12:37, soon to be followed by yet another unlucky bounce in the Wolves favor. Troy Milam blasted a one-timer on net from the point that Howard initially stopped with his blocker, but the puck then bounced off Ryan Oulahen’s back and into the net as he was tying up a persisting wolf.

Evan McGrath narrowed the gap for the Griffins at the two minute mark of the third period on an unassisted tally that flew past Michael Garnett. But the Wolves responded to gain another three-goal lead at 6:43 when Darren Haydar skated in and fired a shot just inside the left goal post only moments after Grand Rapids hit the pipe at the other end.

Midway through the frame Matt Ellis attempted to spring life into his team by winning a race to the puck and shooting a laser to the top shelf for a shorthanded goal, but despite his efforts the Griffins could not mount a comeback. The AHL’s highest powered offense doubled Grand Rapids in shots with 44 as Howard finished with 39 saves.