The new year started in great from for the Grand Rapids Griffins as they beat the Chicago Wolves 3-1 Friday night at Van Andel Arena.
Goalie Tom McCollum made 27 saves as Grand Rapids began the 2014 calender year withe a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Wolves. (Photo provided by the Grand Rapids Griffins)
In his 11th consecutive start this season, goalie Tom McCollum stopped 27 shots and allowed just one goal in a tremendous outing for the Griffins. The Wolves lone goal came off a turnover when Sergey Andronov stole the puck and gave it to teammate David Shields, placing the puck over McCollum’s glove off a backhander.
Calle Jarnkrok scored in the first period off a one-timer after being fed a pass from Andrej Nestrasil. The goal came just as the power play opportunity ended and Chicago’s man was stepping out of the box.
Chicago’s lone goal came just 3:29 into the final period. The tie lasted just 77 seconds as Riley Sheahan wrestled the puck away from Chicago goalie Matt Climie and got it out to Tomas Jurco, who preceeded to hit a backhand into the net.
Teemu Pulkkinen tallied the final goal for the Griffins on an empty net with 1:30 left in the game.
The Griffins improved their record to 23-8-1-2 for the season and maintain an 11 point lead in the Midwest Division over second place Milwaukee and 12 points over third place Chicago. The Wolves fell to 17-13-1-2 on the season.
The win comes after a two game skid for the Griffins, as they lost back-to-back games to the Toronto Marlies earlier this week. Additionally, the Friday night victory also halts a two-game skid to the Wolves, who have won the last two meetings between the foes.
Grand Rapids visits the Rockford Ice Hogs Saturday night before a home-stretch throughout the next week. All games can be heard on WOOD Radio, available on iHeart Radio, or on AHL.com.
