After splitting in Colorado to begin the series, the Chicago Wolves sought refuge at home for the first of three games at Allstate Arena. The Wolves earned a tight win in Game 1, but the Eagles hit back in Game 2, pouring it on in the final five minutes to win 5-2 and even the series. With the crowd on their side, the Wolves had to soldier on without Felix Unger Sorum, who left Game 2 early.
Instead of waiting to be heavily outshot in the third period, the Wolves got it out of the way in the first. The Eagles put 18 shots at Cayden Primeau, and they eventually beat him just before the halfway point. Chase Bradley redirected a shot in the slot, giving the Wolves' netminder no chance to stop it. Meanwhile, Chicago put just four shots at Trent Miner, ending the period down a goal.
The Wolves provided much more resistance during the second period. It was their turn to throw 18 shots at the net, but they continued to be stymied by the Eagles' brick wall in the crease. Colorado kept pushing offensively, too. Tye Felhaber threw a backhander at the net from the near dot, and as good as Primeau has been, it's one that he'll want back. After two periods, Chicago trailed 2-0.
On the penalty kill to start the third, Chicago showed signs of life. Domenick Fensore struck 31 seconds in, snapping it past Miner from between the dots to break the shutout. Bradly Nadeau used his physicality and playmaking to draw them even. He laid a clean hit along the boards and won a battle for the puck, setting up Cal Foote for the tying goal with plenty of time left in regulation.
It all unraveled in the final minute. Ivan Ivan was left completely unmarked as the Wolves' defense broke down. He took a pass from just inside the blue line, walked into the high slot, and snapped it past Primeau with 51 seconds left, silencing the Chicago faithful. It came far too late for the Wolves to mount much pressure in response, allowing Colorado to steal the game and take the series lead.
Without their leading scorer in the lineup, Chicago needed its best players to step up. Bradly Nadeau and Justin Robidas certainly did that. Both provided assists in the contest to find the scoresheet, and they both felt dangerous. Robidas felt particularly dangerous. He had a short-handed breakaway and a chance with one second left in the second period that could've easily turned the game around.
It's a shame that the game ended the way it did. The Wolves felt primed to take this game into overtime. Instead, the game came down to two moments. The first was the soft backhand goal late in the second period to extend Colorado's lead. The second was the defensive breakdown leading to the game-winner. Otherwise, Primeau was good (36 stops), and the penalty kill was perfect (4-for-4).
Chicago has a chance to hop right back in the saddle and draw the series even in the second half of a back-to-back on Wednesday night. If the Wolves win Game 4, it'll put them in a spot to take the lead in Game 5 on Friday night before they head back to Colorado for Game 6. If the Eagles push their lead to 3-1, Friday night will turn into an elimination game for the Wolves.
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