One week after finishing the Grand Rapids Griffins in four games, the Chicago Wolves returned to the ice for the start of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday night. Standing across from them was the Colorado Eagles, who'd made quick work of all three opponents this postseason. With a spot in the Calder Cup Final on the line, the Wolves and the Eagles went to war in Game 1.
Chicago jumped out to the early lead on the power play, with the top unit doing the job. Ryan Suzuki's initial chance was shut down by Trent Miner, but Justin Robidas was there to pounce on the rebound, earning the Wolves the first goal of the conference finals. Late in the period, the Eagles answered with a power-play goal of their own from Alex Barre-Boulet, tying the game at one after 20.
The Wolves put themselves in a tough spot after Colorado tied it, taking two more penalties to give the Eagles a 5-on-3 to open the second period. While the Wolves killed the two-man disadvantage, Tristen Nielsen finished a beautiful passing sequence to push his group ahead at 5-on-4 with his seventh goal of the postseason.
The power play theme continued through the end of the second period. Chicago's top unit found the tying goal before the halfway point in the frame. Bradly Nadeau buried his first goal since Game 4 against Texas to knot it at two. Then, the second unit joined the fun. With one second left on the power play, Skyler Brind'Amour found Noel Gunler in the crease for the redirection and the lead.
The Eagles threw all they could at the Wolves in the third period, but nothing was getting past Cayden Primeau. As has become customary throughout the playoffs, the Wolves were on the wrong side of the shot total by a decent margin. However, Primeau was excellent once again. He went 9-for-9 in the third period as part of a 35-save effort as the Wolves took Game 1, 3-2.
Obviously, power-play productivity was the name of the game in the opener for both sides. The Eagles came into the series with one power-play goal against on 21 attempts. The Wolves proceeded to go 3-for-5. While Colorado scored twice against the Wolves' kill, Chicago finished the night 5-for-7, which isn't too bad, all things considered.
With their work on Thursday, the Wolves might've found the key to solving Trent Miner in the net. This was only the third time a team has scored three or more goals against the Eagles' netminder this postseason. All three times, that team has won the game. The Wolves mustered only 19 shots in the game, which isn't ideal, but all that matters is how many get into the net.
While these are two of the best teams on the power play this postseason, the Wolves need to find a way to establish their game at 5-on-5. Game 2 on Saturday night will provide a blank slate for them as they push for a 2-0 series lead. If they can sweep the first two in Colorado, they'll be in a perfect spot when they head back to Chicago for Games 3, 4, and 5 next week.
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