GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 2 at Chicago Wolves 1

Nov. 21, 2015

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Grand Rapids Griffins won their third game in four nights and first away from home this season, defeating the Central Division-leading Chicago Wolves 2-1 on Saturday at Allstate Arena.

Andreas Athanasiou scored both goals for the Griffins (5-8-0-1), giving him five points in two games since rejoining the team from the Detroit Red Wings. Eric Tangradi and Tomas Jurco provided the assists on both goals while Tom McCollum earned his first win of the season after stopping 27 of 28 shots.

Athanasiou opened the scoring for the Griffins with 6:41 remaining in the opening period. After Eriah Hayes had his stick checked at the right point, Tangradi fed a pass to Athanasiou, who went on a breakaway. Athanasiou shifted from backhand to forehand, lifting the puck over Pheonix Copley’s right pad, off the right post and in.

The Griffins carried the play early in the second period, outshooting Chicago (8-3-1-1) at one stage 4-1. The closest the Griffins came to scoring in the middle frame was when Martin Frk’s slapshot from the left circle rang off the crossbar. Chicago, aided by three unsuccessful power plays, outshot the Griffins 8-4.

History favored the Griffins, who have won four of five games this season when leading after 40 minutes. Athanasiou added to the Griffins lead with 5:24 remaining when he redirected Tangradi’s pass from the bottom of the right circle and in.

Yannick Veilleux put Chicago on the scoresheet with 3:50 remaining. After Peter Harrold’s wrist shot from the right circle was stopped by McCollum’s right pad, Veilleux fired a rebound from the left circle into an open net.

Chicago would not go away quietly, lifting Copley for an extra attacker with 1:30 remaining. The Wolves came close to tying the score, but were denied by a tremendous stick save by McCollum at his right post with five seconds on the clock.

Copley stopped 14 of 16 shots in a losing effort. The Griffins went 0-for-2 on the power play, while Chicago failed to score on four opportunities.

The Griffins play five of their next six regular season games at Van Andel Arena, returning home on Wednesday to host the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m.

Three Stars: 1. GR Athanasiou (two goals); 2. GR Tangradi (two assists); 3. CHI Veilleux (goal)

Notes: Griffins head coach Todd Nelson served as an assistant coach in Chicago for two seasons (2006-08) under current Wolves bench boss John Anderson, together winning the 2008 Calder Cup… Assistant coach Ben Simon played three seasons for the Wolves (2001-03, 2004-05), registering 87 points in 196 regular season games.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 2 at Chicago Wolves 1

Nov. 21, 2015

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Grand Rapids Griffins won their third game in four nights and first away from home this season, defeating the Central Division-leading Chicago Wolves 2-1 on Saturday at Allstate Arena.

Andreas Athanasiou scored both goals for the Griffins (5-8-0-1), giving him five points in two games since rejoining the team from the Detroit Red Wings. Eric Tangradi and Tomas Jurco provided the assists on both goals while Tom McCollum earned his first win of the season after stopping 27 of 28 shots.

Athanasiou opened the scoring for the Griffins with 6:41 remaining in the opening period. After Eriah Hayes had his stick checked at the right point, Tangradi fed a pass to Athanasiou, who went on a breakaway. Athanasiou shifted from backhand to forehand, lifting the puck over Pheonix Copley’s right pad, off the right post and in.

The Griffins carried the play early in the second period, outshooting Chicago (8-3-1-1) at one stage 4-1. The closest the Griffins came to scoring in the middle frame was when Martin Frk’s slapshot from the left circle rang off the crossbar. Chicago, aided by three unsuccessful power plays, outshot the Griffins 8-4.

History favored the Griffins, who have won four of five games this season when leading after 40 minutes. Athanasiou added to the Griffins lead with 5:24 remaining when he redirected Tangradi’s pass from the bottom of the right circle and in.

Yannick Veilleux put Chicago on the scoresheet with 3:50 remaining. After Peter Harrold’s wrist shot from the right circle was stopped by McCollum’s right pad, Veilleux fired a rebound from the left circle into an open net.

Chicago would not go away quietly, lifting Copley for an extra attacker with 1:30 remaining. The Wolves came close to tying the score, but were denied by a tremendous stick save by McCollum at his right post with five seconds on the clock.

Copley stopped 14 of 16 shots in a losing effort. The Griffins went 0-for-2 on the power play, while Chicago failed to score on four opportunities.

The Griffins play five of their next six regular season games at Van Andel Arena, returning home on Wednesday to host the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m.

Three Stars: 1. GR Athanasiou (two goals); 2. GR Tangradi (two assists); 3. CHI Veilleux (goal)

Notes: Griffins head coach Todd Nelson served as an assistant coach in Chicago for two seasons (2006-08) under current Wolves bench boss John Anderson, together winning the 2008 Calder Cup… Assistant coach Ben Simon played three seasons for the Wolves (2001-03, 2004-05), registering 87 points in 196 regular season games.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS