TWO GOAL DEFICITS WERE TOO MUCH

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 3 at Chicago Wolves 5

Dec. 22, 2014

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Grand Rapids Griffins climbed back from two different two-goal deficits to even the score in the third period but fell short as the Chicago Wolves scored two late goals to win 5-3 Monday night at Allstate Arena.

Chicago (16-11-3-0) was led by Jeremy Welsh, who snapped a 22-game scoring drought with two goals including the game-winner to earn first star honors.

The host Wolves jumped out to a 2-0 early in the contest with goals from McCarthy and Shane Harper. McCarthy’s opener at 5:44 came when he was tied up with Nick Jensen in front of goaltender Jared Coreau. McCarthy won the battle and was able to deflect a shot from Matthew Register between Coreau’s pads for his fourth of the season.

A minute later, Harper was rushing the net with Mathieu Brodeur, with Harper scoring into an open net after receiving a backhand pass from Brodeur for his 10th tally of the season.

Grand Rapids (14-11-3-0) got on the scoreboard at 11:45 when Kevin Porter fed Mark Zengerle a backhand pass and in return fired a shot between Jordan Binnington’s glove and the crossbar for Zengerle's third goal of the season.

Chicago reclaimed its two-goal lead a few minutes later when a failed clear by Grand Rapids allowed Welsh to put a wrister low to the ice past Coreau’s stick at 14:31. The power play goal compliments of a Marek Tvrdon tripping penalty was assisted by Register.

The explosive first period saw its fifth goal when Tomas Nosek followed up Welsh with a power play tally of his own when he ripped a one-timer inside the right post at 18:08. His first goal of the season was setup with tic-tac-toe passing by Tvrdon and Anthony Mantha.

The second period saw no scoring between the two teams as it turned into a defensive battle with the Griffins outshooting the Wolves 6-5.

The third period started out in favor of Grand Rapids when Pulkkinen evened the score at 3-3 when he took a pass from Andy Miele in the neutral zone and blasted a slap shot past Binnington’s glove at 6:33.

Welsh lit the lamp for the second time of the night at 13:29 when he stickhandled the puck around a group of defenders towards Coreau. Coreau made the first save but the rebound went straight to Welsh who punched in the game-winner on the second attempt. Ty Rattie earned the assist on the goal.

The Wolves secured the victory with a marker with 1:59 remaining when Phil McRae took advantage of a Griffins turnover and inside their defensive zone and scored on a wrist shot that went off the inside of Coreau’s blocker.

Binnington earned the win as he turned away 19 of 22 Griffins shots. Coreau took his first loss of the season as he made 15 saves on 20 shots.

Each team tallied a power play goal, with Grand Rapids having two chances compared to three by Chicago.

The Griffins will resume play after the holidays at Van Andel Arena against the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m. on Dec. 27.

Three Stars: 1. CHI Welsh (two goals, game-winning goal); 2. CHI Register (two assists); 3. CHI Binnington (W, 19 saves)

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 3 at Chicago Wolves 5

Dec. 22, 2014

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Grand Rapids Griffins climbed back from two different two-goal deficits to even the score in the third period but fell short as the Chicago Wolves scored two late goals to win 5-3 Monday night at Allstate Arena.

Chicago (16-11-3-0) was led by Jeremy Welsh, who snapped a 22-game scoring drought with two goals including the game-winner to earn first star honors.

The host Wolves jumped out to a 2-0 early in the contest with goals from McCarthy and Shane Harper. McCarthy’s opener at 5:44 came when he was tied up with Nick Jensen in front of goaltender Jared Coreau. McCarthy won the battle and was able to deflect a shot from Matthew Register between Coreau’s pads for his fourth of the season.

A minute later, Harper was rushing the net with Mathieu Brodeur, with Harper scoring into an open net after receiving a backhand pass from Brodeur for his 10th tally of the season.

Grand Rapids (14-11-3-0) got on the scoreboard at 11:45 when Kevin Porter fed Mark Zengerle a backhand pass and in return fired a shot between Jordan Binnington’s glove and the crossbar for Zengerle's third goal of the season.

Chicago reclaimed its two-goal lead a few minutes later when a failed clear by Grand Rapids allowed Welsh to put a wrister low to the ice past Coreau’s stick at 14:31. The power play goal compliments of a Marek Tvrdon tripping penalty was assisted by Register.

The explosive first period saw its fifth goal when Tomas Nosek followed up Welsh with a power play tally of his own when he ripped a one-timer inside the right post at 18:08. His first goal of the season was setup with tic-tac-toe passing by Tvrdon and Anthony Mantha.

The second period saw no scoring between the two teams as it turned into a defensive battle with the Griffins outshooting the Wolves 6-5.

The third period started out in favor of Grand Rapids when Pulkkinen evened the score at 3-3 when he took a pass from Andy Miele in the neutral zone and blasted a slap shot past Binnington’s glove at 6:33.

Welsh lit the lamp for the second time of the night at 13:29 when he stickhandled the puck around a group of defenders towards Coreau. Coreau made the first save but the rebound went straight to Welsh who punched in the game-winner on the second attempt. Ty Rattie earned the assist on the goal.

The Wolves secured the victory with a marker with 1:59 remaining when Phil McRae took advantage of a Griffins turnover and inside their defensive zone and scored on a wrist shot that went off the inside of Coreau’s blocker.

Binnington earned the win as he turned away 19 of 22 Griffins shots. Coreau took his first loss of the season as he made 15 saves on 20 shots.

Each team tallied a power play goal, with Grand Rapids having two chances compared to three by Chicago.

The Griffins will resume play after the holidays at Van Andel Arena against the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m. on Dec. 27.

Three Stars: 1. CHI Welsh (two goals, game-winning goal); 2. CHI Register (two assists); 3. CHI Binnington (W, 19 saves)