Three Goals In Second Period Bolster Wolves Against Checkers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Chicago Wolves scored three goals in the second period and goaltender Jordan Binnington delivered 39 saves as the Wolves rolled to a 4-1 victory over Charlotte on Friday night at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Forwards Shane Harper, Adam Burish, Philip McRae and Terry Broadhurst scored for the Wolves (23-18-5-1), who built a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes against the Checkers (16-24-5-1).
Harper provided the game's opening goal at 3:17 of the first as Broadhurst led him with a pass that allowed him to roar down the right side past the defense. As Harper reached the crease, he used a pull and drag to keep the puck away from goaltender Drew MacIntyre's poke check and then slid it home. Broadhurst and Pat Cannone earned assists on Harper's team-high 19th goal of the season.
The Wolves boosted their margin to 2-0 with Burish's power-play goal 2:50 into the second. McRae set up along the half-wall and fed the puck in front of the crease to Welsh, who sent a no-look backhand pass between a Charlotte defenseman's legs to Burish for a one-timer.
Chicago's lead increased to 3-0 at 9:46 of the second when defenseman Petteri Lindbohm whistled a wrister from the left point that McRae redirected past MacIntyre.
Harper returned the favor to Broadhurst at 15:15 of the second as Harper won a puck battle in the corner and delivered a pass to Broadhurst at the bottom of the right circle. Broadhurst flicked home a quick shot at close range to give the Wolves a 4-0 lead and send MacIntyre out of the game in favor of backup John Muse.
Binnington's bid for his second shutout this season ended with 4:41 to play. After Charlotte enjoyed an extended stretch in the offensive zone, Alex Aleardi set up Brody Sutter for a one-timer from the slot.
Binnington, who made his ninth consecutive start, boosted his record to 14-9-3. MacIntyre (13-15-4) stopped 16 of 20 shots in the loss while Muse posted 11 saves.
The Wolves face Charlotte again at 6 p.m. Saturday before starting a seven-game stretch at Allstate Arena with a 7 p.m. game Wednesday against Milwaukee.
-- Chicago Wolves