If Game 1 was about learning from mistakes in the finer details of a Finals series, Game 2 was about applying those lessons in search of a different result to even up the best-of-seven slate before it shifts to Chicago for three games.
The two games followed somewhat similar scripts, especially through the first 40 minutes. The Checkers scored early - Nick Schilkey took a silky pass from Zach Nastasiuk and buried his breakaway shot for the shorthanded tally - and the Wolves answered back just 57 seconds later.
The Checkers built a 3-1 advantage in the second period with two goals in 14 seconds, the first from Nicolas Roy, a net-front redirection of Haydn Fleury's shot from the point, and then from Stelio Mattheos, who weaved his way around a stick-less defender to beat Oscar Dansk with a shot from in between the circles.
Unfortunately for the Checkers, that 3-1 advantage was nullified in the second period just as it was the night prior, as Gage Quinney netted a pair of goals.
But, fortunately for the Checkers, that's as far as history would repeat itself.
"It took us a couple of shifts, but we were right back at it," Jurco said. "We did a really good job to stay in the game. That was the key."
It was Jurco who scored the go-ahead goal with 67 seconds left in the second period, as he slipped a one-time feed from Martin Necas just through Dansk and over the goal line.
"He found me open, and luckily it went in," said Jurco, who, as the goal was signaled, threw his hands up in celebration before being mobbed by Necas and his teammates. "It was a relief. I've had many chances the last couple of games and I couldn't score, so that one felt really good."
The Checkers clamped down and limited the Wolves to just four shots on goal in the third period. Andrew Poturalski banged the puck into an empty net in the final minute to seal the Game 2 victory for the Checkers, who improved to an astounding 47-0-0 when leading after two periods this season.
