Chicago Wolves Playoffs Update – May 30, 2008

Chicago Wolves – American Hockey League

The Wolves opened up the 2008 Calder Cup Finals with a 5-4 win against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Thursday night in Chicago. The teams will enjoy two off days before meeting for Game Two on Sunday at 4 p.m. Each of the remaining games of the Calder Cup Finals can be seen live on the NHL Network.

2008 Calder Cup Finals Finals (Best-of-Seven)
Gm. Date Location Result Series
1 5/29 Chicago 5-4 (CHI) 1-0 (CHI)
2 6/1 Chicago
3 6/4 W-B/S
4 6/6 W-B/S
5* 6/7 W-B/S
6* 6/10 Chicago
7* 6/12 Chicago

* if necessary

Game One – May 29 – Chicago 5, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 4

The Wolves jumped out to a 3-0 advantage after 20 minutes and never trailed in the game en route to a 5-4 Game One victory against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday night. Jordan LaVallee (one goal, one assist), Kevin Doell (one goal, one assist) and Jason Krog (two assists) led the Wolves with two points apiece, while rookie center Bryan Little scored the eventual game-winner for Chicago. Defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski and Jesse Schultz score one goal apiece. Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec turned away 30 shots in his league-leading 13th victory of the postseason.

News and Notes:

Jason Krog has recorded at least one point in 10 straight games and has tallied 13 points (five goals, eight assists) during that span … He leads the AHL with 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) and 21 assists, and ranks third with nine goals.

Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec paces the AHL with 13 wins and has earned a 2.26 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage during his first professional postseason … He has held opponents to two goals or fewer in eight of 19 playoff games.

Defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski tallied a power play goal for the fifth straight game in Game One of the Calder Cup Finals … He leads all league defensemen with eight goals, which sets a new franchise record, and ranks second among AHL defensemen with 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 19 playoff games.

Darren Haydar scored the series-clinching goal in the Western Conference Finals for his 51st career playoff goal, which is tied for the most goals in AHL post-season history … Haydar has tallied at least one point in nine straight contests, recording 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in that span … The captain ranks fourth in the AHL with 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) and is tied for fourth with eight goals.