Chicago Wolves 5 at GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 3

Jan. 22, 2011

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins fell to Chicago by a 5-3 count Saturday night, as the Wolves completed a two-game sweep of the teams’ back-to-back set at Van Andel Arena.

Grand Rapids (20-21-1-4) will travel to Rochester Wednesday for a North Division matchup at 7:05 p.m. against the seventh-place Americans, who sit just four points behind the Griffins.

Chicago (24-19-2-3) struck first at 7:18 of the opening frame when Jared Ross sent a pass from the left of the cage to the high slot, where Spencer Machacek managed to get enough on his shot to flutter the puck over Joey MacDonald’s shoulder.

The scoring was back and forth during the second, as the Wolves added to their lead at 5:13 off a goal from Andrew Kozek. Just over two minutes later at 7:31 the Griffins got on the board when defenseman turned forward for the night, Travis Ehrhardt, buried a rebound from in close off Logan Pyett’s initial shot.

Shortly after at 8:47, Chicago regained its two-goal advantage as Michael Davies capitalized on a wrap around attempt, but Ilari Filppula got the Griffins back within one during a power play by snapping a shot from the left circle past Drew MacIntyre’s blocker at 12:56 to make the score 3-2 through two periods.

The Wolves earned a commanding 5-2 lead midway through the third, with a power play goal from Andre Deveaux at 7:34, before Darren Haydar found the back of the net at 10:14.

Just eight seconds after the Griffins were unsuccessful during a two-minute 5-on-3 opportunity, Filppula netted his second of the night at 13:45, but the score remained 5-3 until the final horn as the Wolves completed their two-game sweep.

Following the game, forwards Adam Keefe and Mike Hedden were assigned to the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) and goaltender Dov Grumet-Morris was released. Keefe is expected to return to the Griffins early next week.

Three Stars: 1. CHI Machacek (1 goal, 2 assists); 2. GR Filppula (2 goals); 3. CHI Ross (3 assists)