GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Chicago Wolves squandered an early lead as the Grand Rapids Griffins scored three second-period goals on their way to a 5-4 win at Van Andel Arena.
Left wing Brett Sterling opened the scoring for the Wolves (5-7-0-1), flicking a pass past Griffins goaltender Daniel Larsson 21 seconds into the first period. Right wing Andrew Kozek followed that goal when he ripped a shot past Larsson from the near circle 6:50 into the game.
Grand Rapids right wing Jamie Tardif put the Griffins on the board 7:46 into the first period to cut the lead in half. The Griffins (7-4-0-0) intercepted a Wolves' clearing attempt and center Evan McGrath drove toward the net and sent a quick centering pass to Tardif, who shot it past Wolves goaltender Manny Legace. Grand Rapids center Cory Emmerton then tied the game when he crashed the net and the puck trickled over amidst a scrum.
Emmerton then added a second goal off of a pass by John Vigilante to give the Griffins the lead 7:15 into the second period. Grand Rapids then increased their lead to two when right wing Jeremy Williams fired a long shot, top shelf, by Legace just 52 seconds later. That goal chased Legace, who was replaced by Drew MacIntyre. For the night, Legace had 10 saves on 14 shots in 28:07.
Center Johnny Pohl brought the Wolves back within one, 4-3, when he cranked a shot past Larsson at the 13:28 mark in the second period. The Griffins' Jan Mursak iced the game when a turnover in the neutral zone gave him room to move in and fling a shot past MacIntyre with 2:39 left to play. Wolves right wing Joey Crabb knocked home a centering pass from Pohl in the corner with 20 seconds left to play.
The Wolves continue their six-game road trip in Texas next weekend, when they visit the San Antonio Rampage at 7 p.m. Friday at the AT&T Center.