Defense hasn't been the featured element when the Wolves have played the Grand Rapids Griffins this season -- especially on the Wolves home ice.
The teams have combined for 39 goals in their three games at Allstate Arena, including the Griffins' 7-5 victory Wednesday night before a crowd of 3,915. The Griffins took a 5-0 lead and held on to snap a three-game losing streak to the Wolves.
Francis Pare had a goal and three assists and Ilari Filppula added two goals for the Griffins.
"We had no bite. There was no urgency," coach Don Lever said. "They just didn't seem interested. You try to do everything you can to get them ready to play, but sometimes I guess I have to take a hit. And the leadership in our dressing room has to take a hit."
The Wolves, struggling to remain in playoff contention, have lost 4 of 5 (1-3-0-1). Although they have 15 of their final 26 games at home, they are only 12-10-0-4 at Allstate this season.
A lethargic opening 25 minutes cost the Wolves. Jamie Johnson, Jordan Owens, Cory Emmerton and Filppula scored first-period goals as the Griffins chased Wolves goalie Drew MacIntyre.
"I still can't explain why we can't be ready at the start of games," center Ryan Garbutt said. "It's something we definitely have to improve. We're going to have to figure that out among ourselves."
It marked the fifth time this season the Wolves have allowed four goals or more in a period. The first four times came in November, including a franchise-worst seven in a record-setting 10-8 loss to the Griffins on Nov. 27.
Jamie Tardiff gave the Griffins a 5-0 lead before the Wolves rallied with goals by Nigel Dawes, Riley Holzapfel, Andrew Kozek and Ryan Garbutt.
But Pare and Filppula each scored around a Darren Haydar goal as the Griffins held on for the victory.
Source: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/02/wolves-lose-to-grand-rapids-7-5.html
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