BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 2 at Chicago Wolves 1

Nov. 23, 2013

ROSEMONT, Ill. — A late goal by Patrick Eaves during the Grand Rapids Griffins only power play of the night gave the Griffins the edge in a 2-1 decision over the Chicago Wolves on Saturday at Allstate Arena.

The win keeps the Griffins on top of the Midwest Division with a 13-4-1-1 record, including 9-2-1-1 on the road.

The Griffins had a chance at an early lead when Teemu Pulkkinen put one away about three minutes into the game, but the referees declared he controlled the puck with a high stick and the goal was waved off.

However, the Griffins still finished the first period ahead a goal with a tally by Calle Jarnkrok at 4:51. Alexey Marchenko intercepted the puck in the neutral zone, skated it into the Wolves’ zone and passed to Tomas Jurco in the slot. Jurco faked a shot before sliding the puck to Jarnkrok, who scored from the left circle.

Nathan Longpre nearly evened the score about seven minutes into the second period with a slap shot, but the puck banged off the pipes and the rebound was cleared out of the danger zone.

The Wolves continued pushing in the middle frame, outshooting the Griffins 9-3 and eventually getting one in with 1:31 remaining in the period. Shane Harper tied the game with a backhander off a pass from Dmitrij Jaskin.

With 2:08 to play in the third period and the score still knotted, Ty Rattie was called for goaltender interference and sent off to put the Griffins on their only power play of the game.

At 19:11, Eaves scored the winning power-play goal. Jurco took a shot from the left boards, and the puck rebounded into the right circle where Eaves one-timed it past Matt Climie, who had 22 saves in the loss. Jurco’s two assists put him at the top of the team in points with 22 (10-12).

Petr Mrazek stopped 31 of 32 shots in his third consecutive win.

The Griffins take on the Texas Stars at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29 at Van Andel Arena to kick off a seven-game home stand, their longest of the season.

Three Stars: 1. GR Mrazek (W, 30 saves); 2. CHI Jaskin (assist); 3. GR Jurco (two assists)