It wasn't a pretty game but a win doesn't need to be. The Chicago Wolves hopped on the Checkers quick and took a two goal lead just five minutes into the contest. After being 1-9 on the power play in the previous four games, the Wolves knocked in a goal in back to back when the opportunity was given. The opening goals came from Kenny Agostino, his second of the series while Andrew Agozzino put in his first.
The goal party continued when Adam Musil added his third of the series to give the Wolves a 3-0 cushion. The goal was Musil’s fifth point of the post season. To say he’s been the surprise of the series would be an understatement. The grinding center is placing himself in the right areas of the ice, something that isn't exactly easy to teach.
After Musil’s goal though is when the tides began to turn, the Checkers threw everything they had left and then some to keep their playoff hopes alive. Goals from Connor Brickley and Phil Di Giuseppe elevated this games intensity to an all time high. Things boiled over when Conner Bleackley and Checkers defenseman Roland McKeown dropped the gloves. This was Bleackley’s first fight in the American league, though he did have eight scraps over the course of three seasons in the WHL.
Despite the push from Charlotte, starting goalie Ville Husso stood tall, making 32 saves on 34 shots. When it was all said and done the Wolves closed this series out with a 3-2 win. The young Finnish netminder played his fifth game in such a short span showed zero signs of fatigue. Husso moves onto the next round with a .925 save percentage with a 2.34 goals against average.
News and notes:
Petteri Lindbohm was called up to the Blues earlier in the day which gave Kevin Tansey his first game of the playoffs. Tansey had three points with the Wolves this season in 19 games while also putting up 31 points in 44 games in the ECHL for the Missouri Mavericks. The Grand Rapids Griffins beat the Milwaukee Admirals 3-2 in overtime and swept the Nashville Predators affiliate. Meaning the Wolves have a second round date with a team they were neck and neck with for domination of the Central Division.