Wolves improve to 3-0 with overtime win over Rivermen
By Seth Gruen For Sun-Times Media October 17, 2012 10:50PM
Zack Kassian of the Wolves scored the first goal of the game on a power play. | Ross Dettman~Chicago Wolves
Updated: November 19, 2012 3:39PM
After not allowing a goal in five of six periods over the weekend, goalie Eddie Lack was given plenty of credit for the Wolves’ first two victories.
But after the team made another offense look pedestrian, this time with Matt Climie in goal, perhaps the defense isn’t getting its due.
The Wolves improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2007-08 season with a 2-1 overtime victory Wednesday against the Peoria Rivermen at Allstate Arena. River Forest native Zach Miskovic scored the game-winner at 2:59 of overtime, taking a pass in the high slot and wristing a shot over the glove of goalie Jake Allen.
Lead by defenseman Chris Tanev, who would be in the NHL if it weren’t for the lockout, and top blue-line prospect Kevin Connauton, the Wolves have been stout in their own zone, thanks in part to their active sticks.
Though Lack and Climie have played superbly, their job is easier when the defense is playing as well as it has.
“We’ve just got a strong unit on the back end there,” Connauton said. “Obviously, it’s everyone there, too. Forwards are doing a great job of being in position as outlets for us and supporting us when we’re down low. Right now we’re playing our systems well, and we’ve got to continue doing that.”
Zack Kassian scored the game’s first goal for the Wolves on a power play at 13:51 of the first period. The goal, assisted by Derek Joslin and Jordan Schroeder, actually was a centering pass from behind the net that went off the skate of a Rivermen defender.
It took the Wolves 14 power-play opportunities to get their goal. That was the only power play the Wolves scored on in five opportunities.
T.J. Hensik tied the score at 12:40 of the third period with one second left on a power play.
The Wolves had a chance to put the game away in the second period when the Rivermen’s Andrew Murray and Phil McCrae served overlapping penalties, giving the Wolves a two-man advantage.
An anemic power play already has become somewhat of a concern for Wolves coach Scott Arniel.
“It’s me trying to figure out who fits where,” Arniel said. “And maybe I might have some guys slotted in the wrong spots. We’ll just keep working at that and try to figure out where it goes.”
