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Wolves Wed Jun 04 2008
Wolves in Calder hunt
While the NHL’s Stanley Cup may be won tonight, there is also a championship on ice being contested involving a Chicago team. The Chicago Wolves, who advanced to the AHL finals with a 4-1 series victory over the Toronto Marlies May 23, have jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Tonight, the team visits the Penguins for Game 3 (unfortunately, Dunder-Mifflin does not have naming rights for the stadium), with Game 4 and a possible Game 5 scheduled for Friday and Saturday. If necessary, the series shifts back to Rosemont's Allstate Arena next Tuesday and Thursday.
The championship round is familiar hunting ground for the Wolves, who are making their sixth appearance in 14 years between the IHL and the AHL. In their last visit to the finals, the Wolves won the Calder Cup in 2002, their first year in the AHL.
Game 2’s 4-2 victory saw the Wolves' Darren Haydar pick up two goals and an assist while becoming the AHL career postseason leader in goals (53) and points (121). Haydar broke the record in his 91st career playoff game.
Also pacing the way for the Wolves has been Jason Krog, who notched a pair of assists in each game and is leading the Calder Cup scoring with 32 total points, one short of the franchise record set by Rob Brown in 2002.
Chicago is well-positioned to win the Calder Cup, as the team has never lost a post-season series with a 2-0 lead. Despite averaging a goal less on the road, the Wolves have gone 4-4 this year away from Allstate. Two more road wins this week and the team will be skating with the hardware for the fourth time.
