Like their NHL counterparts in Raleigh, the Chicago Wolves have made it to the end of their season, standing four wins away from a league title. On Friday, their pursuit of the Calder Cup began at home against the Toronto Marlies. Both teams received a nice break after finishing their conference finals series, giving them ample time to rest and prepare for this clash.
Both sides traded high-quality chances early, especially on the penalty kill, but the Wolves broke the ice in the series midway through the first period. Their three leading scorers got it rolling. Justin Robidas carried the puck in. Ryan Suzuki took the shot. Bradly Nadeau cleaned up the rebound. The Marlies got it back late in the period on Ben Danford's wrister, tying the game at one after 20.
After an eventful first period, things slowed down. The shots weren't as fast and furious in the second period. Chicago regained the lead with just under six minutes to. Noel Gunler waited for Skyler Brind'Amour to join the play, leading him into a breakaway finish. However, with under a minute to go, Cedric Pare got loose for one of his own, sending the teams into the third tied at two.
In the third period, Vinni Lettieri took over. After the Wolves passed up a golden opportunity on one end, the Marlies forced a turnover and sent Lettieri the other way. He outmuscled Noah Philp, getting to the front of the net and popping it past Amir Mikftakhov to give Toronto its first lead. Lettieri finished the job with the net empty and seconds left in the game, earning the Marlies a 4-2 win.
It was a whirlwind week for Amir Miftakhov. He went from saving his team's season to getting his first call-up with the Canes to be the third string in Thursday's Game 5 win in Raleigh. As expected, he was back with the team in time to start this series. Toronto's first goal was a tough one, scoring on a clean look from the point. He had the right idea on the game-winner, going for and missing the poke check.
Noah Philp, Ivan Ryabkin, and Viktor Neuchev were on the ice for two goals as a line, with Philp also on for the empty-netter. On the tying goal, Philp stopped skating, allowing his man to get far enough away that a dive to break up the pass wasn't enough. On the winner, Ryabkin passed up a shot from the dot for a low-percentage pass behind the net. It was a learning experience for the youngster.
The big players on both sides showed up to start the series. The Wolves' top trio all recorded points. Bradly Nadeau finished with six shots, including his game-opening tally, tied for the most in Game 1. He tied with Toronto's Vinni Lettieri, who took sole possession of first for points this postseason after a three-point effort. Stopping him is the key for Chicago if they want to silence Toronto's offense.
Down 1-0 in the series, the Wolves have a chance to even things up on home ice on Sunday. The Marlies have now won five straight games on the road, but Chicago bucking that trend would send them to Toronto in a tied series before three games in four nights next week. Games 3 and 4 will be on Tuesday and Thursday, with a potential fifth game following on Friday.
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