RALEIGH, N.C. - As the Carolina Hurricanes are having postseason success of their own in Raleigh, their American Hockey League affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, is doing just the same in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Punching their ticket to the Central Division Final on Tuesday, the Wolves (Central Seed #2) ousted the Texas Stars (Central Seed #3) in the fifth game of a best-of-five series.
Dropping the series opener in Cedar Park, TX, Spiros Anastas' squad bounced back with a pair of wins before suffering a heartbreaking overtime loss in Game 4. The crew showed an ability to overcome the adversity, responding with a great effort in the series finale, striking twice in the opening minute and never looking back.
A true team effort throughout, 19 of the 20 skaters who dressed for the Wolves registered at least one point in the series. Including a hat trick in the series-deciding contest, Ryan Suzuki led the way with six points (4G, 2A) in the five games.
Goaltender Cayden Primeau followed up his fantastic regular season by playing in all five games in the series. Allowing just one goal in three of the starts, he had a must-see stop in Game 4.
The Wolves will face the winner of the series between the Grand Rapids Griffins (Central Seed #1) and the Manitoba Moose (Central Seed #4).
