Chicago Wolves Capture 2008 Calder Cup Championship

Jason Krog's four-point night included his second hat trick of the postseason and propelled the Chicago Wolves to the American Hockey League's 2008 Calder Cup championship with a 5-2 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Allstate Arena on Tuesday night.

The Wolves, top development team of the National Hockey League's Atlanta Thrashers, defeated the Penguins four games to two to win their second AHL title and first since 2002.

Krog capped a magical season by winning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs, finishing with 12 goals and a league record-tying 26 assists for 38 points in 24 playoff games. Krog, who won his first championship after reaching the Calder Cup Finals with Bridgeport in 2002 and the Stanley Cup Finals with Anaheim in 2003, was also named the AHL MVP in the regular season after leading the league in goals (39), assists (73) and points (112) in 80 games played.

2007 AHL Rookie of the Year Brett Sterling and 2007 AHL All-Rookie defenseman Nathan Oystrick also scored for the Wolves in Game 6, and Ondrej Pavelec made 25 saves to become the fourth goaltender in AHL history to win 16 games in a single postseason.

John Anderson becomes the 12th head coach to win more than one Calder Cup championship, leading Chicago to its second title in seven seasons since joining the AHL. The Wolves won the West Division with a record of 53-22-2-3 (111 points) during the regular season, then got past the Milwaukee Admirals (4-2), Rockford IceHogs (4-3) and Toronto Marlies (4-1) before defeating the Penguins in the Finals.

Chicago's victory brings the curtain down on the AHL's 72nd season. In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 84 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and this season marked the seventh consecutive year in which more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America.

Chicago Wolves Playoffs Update – June 9, 2008

Chicago Wolves – American Hockey League

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton staved off elimination for the second straight game with a 5-1 win in Game Five of Calder Cup Finals on Saturday night. Chicago still holds a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and will have a third chance to capture their second Calder Cup Championship at home on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Each of the remaining Calder Cup Finals games 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 4-2 (CHI) 2-0 (CHI)
3 6/4 W-B/S 6-1 (CHI) 3-0 (CHI)
4 6/6 W-B/S 3-2 (W-B/S) 3-1 (CHI)
5 6/7 W-B/S 5-1 (W-B/S) 3-2 (CHI)
6 6/10 Chicago
7* 6/12 Chicago

* if necessary

Game Five – June 7 – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 5, Chicago 1

After a scoreless first period rookie center Bryan Little gave the Wolves a 1-0 lead midway through the second period with his eighth goal of the postseason. Chicago was unable to capitalize on the lead and surrendered five unanswered goals to the Penguins in a 5-1 defeat. Jordan LaVallee and Brett Sterling picked up the assists on Little’s goal. Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec turned away 26 of 31 shots in the loss.

Chicago Wolves Playoffs Update – June 7, 2008

Chicago Wolves – American Hockey League

The Wolves missed their first opportunity to capture the 2008 Calder Cup Championship on Friday night after suffering a 3-2 Game Four loss in Wilkes-Barre. Chicago will have another chance to close out the Penguins tonight at 7:35 p.m. Each of the remaining Calder Cup Finals games 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 4-2 (CHI) 2-0 (CHI)
3 6/4 W-B/S 6-1 (CHI) 3-0 (CHI)
4 6/6 W-B/S 3-2 (W-B/S) 3-1 (CHI)
5 6/7 W-B/S
6* 6/10 Chicago
7* 6/12 Chicago

* if necessary

Game Four – June 6 – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 3, Chicago 2

Chicago found itself down 1-0 after one period of play for the second straight game on Friday night. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton opened up a 2-0 lead early in the middle frame, but two goals by Darren Haydar knotted the game at 2-2 heading into the third. The Penguins scored the game-winning goal at the 2:21 mark of the third period to push Chicago to a Game Five tonight. Haydar scored the only goals for the Wolves, while Jesse Schultz (two assists), Jason Krog (one assist) and Joel Kwiatkowski (one assist) all found their way onto the scoresheet. Rookie goaltender Ondrej Pavelec made 20 saves on 23 shots in the defeat.

Chicago Wolves Playoffs Update – June 5, 2008

Chicago Wolves – American Hockey League

After a decisive 6-1 Game Three victory on Wednesday night, the Wolves hold a 3-0 series lead and can wrap up the Calder Cup Championship with one more win. Game Four will be played in Wilkes-Barre on Friday, June 6 at 7:35 p.m. Each of the remaining Calder Cup Finals games 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 4-2 (CHI) 2-0 (CHI)
3 6/4 W-B/S 6-1 (CHI) 3-0 (CHI)
4 6/6 W-B/S
5* 6/7 W-B/S
6* 6/10 Chicago
7* 6/12 Chicago

* if necessary

Game Three – June 4 – Chicago 6, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 1

After a sluggish first period which left Chicago down 1-0 and outshot 12-5, the Wolves rallied for a team-record five-goal second period en route to a 6-1 victory and a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals. Jesse Schultz led the Wolves with two goals, while Joel Kwiatkowski, Jordan LaVallee, Matt Anderson and Mike Hamilton each chipped in a goal apiece. Joey Crabb led the team with two assists in the win. Jason Krog and Darren Haydar each earned one assist to extend their point streaks to 12 and 11 games respectively. Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec backstopped the Wolves with 24 saves on 25 shots.

Chicago Wolves Playoffs Update – June 2, 2008

Chicago Wolves – American Hockey League

Chicago opened up a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals with a 4-2 victory against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday evening. The Wolves are 13-0 all-time in playoff series after winning the first two games. The series will move to Wilkes-Barre, Pa. for Game Three on Wednesday at 7:35 p.m. Each of the remaining Calder Cup Finals games 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 4-2 (CHI) 2-0 (CHI)
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 Two – June 1 – Chicago 4, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2

For the second game in a row the Wolves opened up a 3-0 lead in Game Two of the Calder Cup Finals. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton cut the deficit to 3-2 with two goals in a span of 37 seconds, but defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski’s goal with 1:53 remaining in the game sealed the win for Chicago. Captain Darren Haydar became the AHL’s all-time leading goal scorer with his 52nd career post-season goal to open the scoring. Haydar scored the Wolves second goal to pass AHL Hall-of-Famer Willie Marshal for the most post-season points with 121. Colin Stuart also chipped in with a goal for Chicago. Center Jason Krog and defenseman Arturs Kulda led the Wolves with two assists apiece. Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec made 21 saves in the win.

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.

Chicago Wolves Playoffs Update – May 24, 2008

Chicago Wolves – American Hockey League

The Wolves clinched a berth in the 2008 Calder Cup Finals with a 4-2 win against the Marlies on Friday night. Chicago won the best-of-seven series 4-1 to advance to their third Calder Cup Final in seven years since joining the American Hockey League in 2001. The Wolves won the Calder Cup in 2002 and also captured the International Hockey League’s Turner Cup Championship in 1998 and 2000. Chicago will square off against either the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins or the Portland Pirates, who are tied 3-3 with Game Seven scheduled for tonight. Game One of the Calder Cup Finals will be played on Thursday, May 29 in Chicago.

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 6-1 (TOR) 3-1 (CHI)
5 5/23 Chicago 4-2 (CHI) 4-1 (CHI WINS)

GameFive – May 23 – Chicago 4, Toronto 2

Darren Haydar broke a 2-2 deadlock with only 5:08 remaining in the third period and Kevin Doell added an empty-net tally as the Wolves came away with a 4-2 victory on Friday night to advance to the 2008 Calder Cup Finals. Defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski and rookie Bryan Little added one goal apiece for the Wolves, while Jason Krog paced the team with two assists. Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec turned aside 23 of 25 shots in his 12th post-season victory.