The Chicago Wolves took their show on the road, welcoming a big player back into the lineup. Down 2-0 in the Calder Cup Final after an overtime loss to Toronto on Sunday, Felix Unger Sorum returned to the club for the first time since Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. It came at a perfect time, with Chicago trying to avoid falling into a nearly impossible position.
Chicago came out firing in the first period. Outshooting the Marlies 13-5 through the opening 20 minutes, the Wolves couldn't get anything past Artur Akhtyamov. That would become a running theme for them in the game. On the other end, Cayden Primeau wasn't tested as much, but he was also perfect in the opening frame, keeping things scoreless to start the night.
The Marlies broke the ice early in the second period, and it's one that Primeau probably wants back. Easton Cowan's shot from the right dot was heavy, but the Chicago netminder got a good piece of it. He just didn't get all of it. The shot trickled under Primeau's arm and over the goal line, giving the Marlies a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the period.
The second period belonged to the Marlies. While Cowan's goal was the only shot to get into the back of the net, they peppered Primeau. The Wolves' netminder stopped 16 of those 17, while his group only managed four against Akhtyamov. Despite being grossly outplayed, Chicago was still only one shot away from tying it up.
That tying goal never came. Chicago had its looks throughout the third period, but they couldn't get one to go. Akhtyamov stopped everything, finishing the night with a 24-save shutout to put the Marlies up 3-0 in the series. While the series isn't over until a team wins four games, it's starting to seem like Chicago's season is withering away.
There were some fireworks late in the contest. It began with Nikita Pavlychev being assessed a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct. Tensions were already high, and when the horn sounded, things reached a new level. Chaos erupted once the clock hit all zeroes. Everyone on the ice was assessed two for roughing and a game misconduct, though it was already over.
Their backs are against the wall now, but it's not time to count the Wolves out just yet. All three games to this point have been close, though the better team has probably won twice in the series. History isn't on the Wolves' side either, with 3-0 comebacks in best-of-seven series being exceedingly rare. That doesn't mean it can't happen.
They'll need the entire team to step up to keep their season alive on Thursday night. The Wolves can't afford to look beyond Game 4. They have to take it one game at a time. A win on Thursday ensures the teams will play again in Toronto on Friday. If they can win two in a row, it starts to bring some doubt into Toronto's minds. Should they extend this to a sixth game, they'll be back on home ice.
