Chicago Wolves Playoffs Update – May 21, 2008

Chicago Wolves – American Hockey League

Chicago secured its fifth straight playoff win with a 4-1 victory against the Toronto Marlies in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday night. The Wolves now lead the best-of-seven series 3-0 and are one win shy of making their sixth finals appearance in 13 post-season tries. The teams will meet again tonight for Game Four in Toronto.

2008 AHL Western Conference Finals (Best-of-Seven)
Gm. Date Location Result Series
1 5/16 Chicago 4-1 (CHI) 1-0 (CHI)
2 5/18 Chicago 5-0 (CHI) 2-0 (CHI)
3 5/20 Toronto 4-1 (CHI) 3-0 (CHI)
4 5/21 Toronto
5* 5/23 Chicago
6* 5/25 Toronto
7* 5/27 Chicago

* if necessary

Game Three – May 20 – Chicago 4, Toronto 1
The Wolves moved to within one win of the Calder Cup Finals with a 4-1 win in Game Three on Tuesday night. Darren Haydar led the Wolves with three assists, while Joel Kwiatkowski also recorded a multiple-point effort with one goal and one assist. Nathan Oystrick, Steve Martins and Jordan LaVallee recorded one goal each as Chicago marched to victory. Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec stopped 30 of 31 shots for his fifth straight win and his league-leading 11th of the post season.

Game Two – May 18 – Chicago 5, Toronto 0
Chicago opened up a 2-0 series lead with a convincing 5-0 victory against Toronto in Game Two on Sunday. The Wolves opened up a 3-0 lead in the first seven minutes of the game and Ondrej Pavelec turned away all 24 shots he faced for his second shutout of the playoffs; tying a Wolves team record. Jason Krog recorded two goals in the first 3:08 and has scored five goals in the first two games of the series. Joel Kwiatkowski, Bryan Little and Joey Crabb all recorded one goal each for the Wolves in the win.

Game One – May 16 – Chicago 4, Toronto 1
AHL regular season MVP Jason Krog earned the ninth hat trick in Chicago Wolves playoffs history and added an assist in a 4-1 victory against the Marlies in Game One of the Western Conference Finals. Darren Haydar netted his seventh goal of the postseason and recorded one assist as well. Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec turned away 26 of 27 shots for his ninth win of the playoffs. It marked the sixth time in 14 playoff games that Pavelec has allowed one or fewer goals.

News and Notes:

Jason Krog has recorded a point in seven straight games and has tallied eight points (five goals, three assists) in the first three games of the Western Conference Finals … Krog has scored the game-winning goal in four of Chicago’s last five games … He leads the AHL with 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) and 16 assists, and ranks second with nine goals.

Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec tied a franchise record with his second shutout of the playoffs in Game Two … Pavelec leads the AHL with 11 wins and leads all active league goaltenders with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage … He has held opponents to one goal of fewer in eight of 16 playoff games and as allowed only two goals during the first three games of the Western Conference Finals.

Defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski tallied a goal and an assist in Chicago’s Game Three victory on Tuesday for his sixth multiple-point game of the postseason … He leads all league defensemen with five goals, which ties a franchise record, and ranks second among AHL defensemen with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 16 playoff games.

Darren Haydar has recorded a point in six straight games and has 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in that span … Haydar has tallied one goal and six assists in the first three games of the Western Conference Finals … Haydar ranks second on the Wolves and is tied for third in the league with 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 16 playoff games.