Pirri, Garrison make comebacks with AHL Wolves
Former injured; Vegas ships latter to Chicago
It had been a long time since Brandon Pirri skated on American Hockey League ice when he joined the Chicago Wolves — and even longer for Jason Garrison — but both are making solid comebacks. one assist in four games. Through eight games in Chicago, he has one goal and two assists.
“It’s been a good transition,” Garrison said. “Obviously I have a lot of helpfromthecoachesandtheplayers in the dressing room, and it’s a bit of an adjustment, but I’ve been here before.”
They shoot … they don’t score
The Wolves have had no trouble putting shots on net. Unfortunately for them, it’s only the ones that go in thatwingames.
“We’re working hard, we’re outshooting teams, we’re just not getting results,” Pirri said. “I think when that happens, you have to dig deeper. Tighten up defensively, you’re not going to get the prettiest goals, but you have to go to the hard areas.”
Chicago has been outshot in only fiveofits16gamesandboastsan average of 33 shots per game, second best in the league through Tuesday. But the Wolves were still outscored 51-41.
The Golden Knights are in the bottom half of the NHL in shots per game, but they had outscored foes 68-57.
Whether hot goaltending, Chicago’s revolving door of goalies or other factors are keeping the Wolves snakebitten, they’re trying to do more of the same.
“I think usually when you shoot as much as we do, you’re going to get more than one or two goals,” Garrison said. “Some goalies have made some big saves on guys, and that’s what happens throughout the year. Unfortunately for us, it’s happening right now, but you just have to keep up the shot volume. Sooner rather than later, some pucks will go in.”
Road woes
One thing Vegas and Chicago have in common — there’s no place like home.
The Wolves had their longest road stretch of the season last week, and though Thompson said beforehand thatitcouldbeanadvantagetoget away,theresultssaidotherwise.
Just as the Golden Knights began their first trip, Chicago went 0-3 in away games at Manitoba and Rockford.
“Since we’ve been on this losing streak, it’s been kind of the same thing. We’re playing well, we’re just not getting results,” Thompson said. “We’re really close, these last two games we’re getting even closer. We have to stick to it, can’t give up and continue to push forward.”
The Wolves will look to bounce back with four road games in one week beginning Dec. 8.
Contact Emily Polglaze at enpolglaze@gmail.com. Follow @enpolglaze on Twitter.