WOLVES DELIVER OT LOSS TO GRIFFINS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Evan McGrath scored with 3:01 remaining to force overtime, however the Grand Rapids Griffins fell short in the extra session, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Chicago Wolves Saturday night at Van Andel Arena

Grand Rapids closed out its weekend against Western Conference power houses with three out of a possible four points, earning a 2-1 shootout win Friday against the Rockford IceHogs and earning a point tonight versus Chicago. After a brief holiday break, the team will head to Cleveland on Wednesday to battle the Lake Erie Monsters at 7 p.m.

Jimmy Howard did his part to keep the scoreboard blank in the opening period, matching his season high by making 14 saves, several of which in dramatic fashion. But the Wolves capitalized during a 5-on-3 opportunity at 10:44 of the second frame when former Griffin Joel Kwiatkowski fed a pass to Steve Martins at the right side of the net, who sent a one timer past Howard. Chicago then extended their lead less than three minutes later as Kevin Doell pounded a shot in from the goal mouth after receiving the puck from Joey Crabb in the left corner.

Shortly after, the Griffins narrowed the gap at 14:45 on a neutral zone turnover that created a two-on-one. Garrett Stafford sped across the line and set up Brett Engelhardt, who beat Ondrej Pavelec on the stick side.

Early in the final period, Chicago had a disallowed goal due to goaltender interference. From there, the intensity picked up and Ryan Oulahen tied the game at 14:04 by picking the Chicago defenseman’s pocket and sending an unassisted wrister into the goal from the left circle.

Karel Pilar answered for the Wolves at 16:21, letting a shot go from the high slot that soared past a screened Howard. But the Griffins notched the equalizer 38 ticks later when Darren Helm skated around the Chicago net and found McGrath on the doorstep to snap a shot to the upper corner.

Pavelec denied the Griffins’ three attempts in overtime, before the Wolves scored on their first try with 21 seconds left on the clock. Darren Haydar dropped a pass to Brett Sterling, who found the back of the net from the top of the circles.

Howard finished the night one save short of matching his season-high 41, while Pavelec earned the win with 30. Prior to the game, Griffins center Mark Hartigan was recalled by the Detroit Red Wings and joined the team in Minnesota.