Wolves weekly
Published on May 23, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
WOLVES REWIND (2-0)
Sat., May 21
(at) Chicago 3, Manitoba 0
--- Netminder KARI LEHTONEN turned aside all 26 shots he faced to help the
Wolves defeat the Manitoba Moose, 3-0, at the Allstate Arena in Game 2 of
the Western Conference Final
--- Left wing STEVE MALTAIS and defenseman JOE CORVO each tallied a goal and
an assist
--- Blueliner TRAVIS ROCHE also scored for Chicago
Thu., May 19
(at) Chicago 4, Manitoba 0
--- The Wolves held off a late surge to defeat the Manitoba Moose, 4-3, in
Game 1 of the Western Conference Final at the Allstate Arena
--- Defenseman BRIAN SIPOTZ tallied the game-winning goal and an assist,
while center STEPHEN WEISS chipped in two helpers
--- Goaltender KARI LEHTONEN recorded 16 saves
WOLVES TO WATCH
--- KARI LEHTONEN: Matched a postseason franchise high with his second
shutout of the playoffs on Saturday ... Ranks first among active goaltenders
and second overall with a 1.59 goals-against average and a .942 save
percentage ... Shares second in the AHL with eight wins and two shutouts ...
Surrendered two or fewer goals in seven of his 10 playoff games this year
--- STEVE MALTAIS: Matched a postseason-high with two points (G, A) on
Saturday, which includes the power-play game-winner ... Paces the Wolves
with three points (G, 2A) in two playoff games against the Moose ... The
Wolves franchise leader with 61 goals and 124 points in 136 playoff games
--- JOE CORVO: Collected a postseason-high +2 plus/minus rating and two
points (G, A) in Game 2, which includes a short-handed, empty-netter ...
Paces team blueliners with a three goals and shares first with five points
in 12 games  both of which match career postseason highs
--- TRAVIS ROCHE: Posted his first goal of the playoffs and a
postseason-high six penalty minutes in Game 2 ... Shares second in the AHL
and paces league blueliners with a team-high +10 plus/minus rating ... Leads
team defensemen with four assists  just one shy of matching a postseason
career-high  and shares first with five points in 12 games
--- BRAD LARSEN: Held without a point on Thursday in Game 2, ending a
four-game point streak (2G, 5A) ... Tied for first on the Wolves with a
postseason career-high 10 points (4G, 6A) in 12 games ... Shares first in
the AHL with two game-winning goals ... Tied for second on the club with
four goals and a postseason career-high six assists
--- BRIAN SIPOTZ: Registered the game-winning goal  his first career
professional playoff marker  and an assist last Thursday in Game 1 ...
Notched three points (G, 2A) in 12 postseason contests after registering
eight (3G, 5A) in 75 regular-season games
--- DEREK MacKENZIE: Snapped a four-game point streak (2G, 2A) on Thursday
in Game 2 ... Ranks second on the team and is tied for fourth in the AHL
with a +9 plus/minus rating
WOLF TRACKS
--- The Wolves have held their rivals scoreless on the power play in each of
their last three games and in seven of their 12 playoff contests this year;
Chicago ranks first in the AHL on the penalty kill at 91.8 percent (67 of
73).
--- Chicago and Manitoba combined for 159 penalty minutes in Game 2, the
most by the team and a rival this postseason and 38 shy of matching the
franchise high.
--- The Wolves' 10-2 start to the playoff matches the best postseason start
in team history; Chicago has won a championship each time it has begun the
playoffs with a 10-2 mark (1998 and 2000).
--- Chicago has won four of its five road games this postseason (.800).
ZERO TOLERANCE
The Wolves earned their second shutout this postseason and 13th in franchise playoff history last Saturday. Chicago has matched a franchise high with two shutouts this postseason, a feat the team also accomplished in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
NOTABLE
Chicago ranks first in the AHL on defense, allowing an average of 1.58 goals per game; the team has given up just 19 goals in 12 playoffs the fewest among active teams. The 19 goals against this postseason mark the fewest the team has surrendered through the first 12 playoff games in franchise history. The Wolves have not allowed more than three goals in a game this postseason.
THIS WEEK
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
Mon., May 23 at Manitoba Moose MTS Centre 7:30 p.m.
Wed., May 25 at Manitoba Moose MTS Centre 7:30 p.m.
Fri., May 27* at Manitoba Moose MTS Centre 7:30 p.m.
Sun., May 29* vs. Manitoba Moose Allstate Arena 3:00 p.m.
Tue., May 31* vs. Manitoba Moose Allstate Arena 7:00 p.m.
*If necessary
ALL GAMES WILL BE TELECAST LIVE ON COMCAST
Log on to www.chicagowolves.com and click on the Play button for audio webcast.
American Hockey League Stories from May 23, 2005
- Phantoms lose Game 3 of conference finals 2-1 in OT - Adirondack Phantoms
- Pirates Name Mighty Ducks of Anaheim New NHL Affiliate - Portland Pirates
- Wolves weekly - Chicago Wolves
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- Wolves and Phantoms win - Hershey Bears
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
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