LOCALS SECOND

Chicago Wolves 2 at GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 0

Nov. 3, 2017

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Behind a flawless 33-save effort by Kasimir Kaskisuo, the Chicago Wolves exorcised a few demons in a 2-0 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday at Van Andel Arena.

The Wolves nursed a 1-0 lead from late in the first period onward until adding an empty-netter with three seconds remaining in the game, earning their first road victory of the season as well as a rare triumph over the Griffins, who are now 15-4-1-0 in the regular season series since Todd Nelson assumed Grand Rapids’ coaching helm in 2015. Chicago also shut out the Griffins for the first time since Jan. 29, 2010.

The Griffins, who had won two of three entering the night and were coming off a 6-3 win at Milwaukee on Wednesday, missed a chance to even their season record and fell to 4-6-0-1. They’ll have Saturday night off before hosting the Admirals on Sunday at 4 p.m.

At the 15:36 mark of the opening period, the Wolves (4-4-1-0) quickly converted a turnover behind the Griffins’ net for the only goal they would need. Mackenzie MacEachern threw a sharp-angle shot on goal from the left corner that managed to sneak through Jared Coreau as he hugged the near post.

Seven minutes into the second period, Coreau kept it a one-goal deficit by making a highlight-reel stop during a four-minute Chicago power play. He dove back and to his left to smother a try by Tomas Hyka, who took a backdoor pass at the right post but couldn’t fully pull the trigger at the wide-open net as he shifted to his forehand.

Coreau followed that up with a series of stops during another Wolves advantage late in the frame, as the visitors enjoyed nearly nine minutes of power play time during the period but were unable to pad their margin thanks to Coreau’s 16 saves.

Grand Rapids, which outshot Chicago 24-23 through 40 minutes, again held the advantage in the third to the tune of 9-3, but Kaskisuo remained firm before T.J. Tynan scored into an empty net from center ice in the waning seconds to seal it.

Coreau, who helped the Griffins kill off all six Chicago power plays, turned aside 24 of 25 on the night. Grand Rapids failed to capitalize on four power play chances.

Notes: Including last year’s playoff meeting, the Griffins had gone 10-1-1-0 at home against the Wolves under Nelson before tonight’s loss…Tyler Bertuzzi made his season debut for Grand Rapids after recovering from an injury suffered in a Detroit Red Wings preseason game. He registered one shot on goal…The Griffins wore state of Michigan-themed jerseys in celebration of Local First Night…After the game, the Griffins reassigned defenseman Patrick McCarron to the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. He has yet to appear in a game with Grand Rapids this season.

Three Stars: 1. CHI Kaskisuo (W, 33 saves, SO); 2. CHI MacEachern (game-winning goal); 3. GR Coreau (L, 24 saves)