Trying to spark and better balance his team’s attack, Wolves coach Gene Ubriaco shuffled his forward line combinations for Saturday’s game against the Phoenix Roadrunners.
The move didn’t jump-start the Wolves offense. But the Wolves got maximum mileage from a revved-up team defensive effort as they edged the Roadrunners 2-1 at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Wolves goaltender Ray LeBlanc stopped 30 of 31 shots and made several sharp saves in the waning minutes to help his team snap a two-game losing streak.
The Wolves (10-7) fell behind 1-0 at 3 minutes 50 seconds of the first period on a power-play goal by Phoenix’s Steve Wilson.
However, Wolves defenseman Darcy Werenka replied with his first goal of the season, a power-play tally at 9:04, to tie it at 1. Steve Maltais scored his 23rd goal of the season at 19:00 of the opening period for a 2-1 Wolves lead.
The Wolves had ample opportunity to extend their lead, but misfired on several close-in chances. The Wolves’ power play also continued to sputter.
