Game 2: Marlies vs Wolves

Game 1 of the Calder Cup Western Conference Semifinals is in the books, and it did not look good for the Chicago Wolves.

If they want to take Game 2 while they’re still at home, they’ll need to make some adjustments from Friday night.

After Game 2’s morning skate, @MikeGDavies breaks down the #ChicagoWolves perspective for @Leafs_TV and @HockeyAbbs. pic.twitter.com/AHgVFiKuyV

— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) May 10, 2014

Power plays all around were a struggle for the Wolves. The Toronto Marlies were able to capitalize on Wolves penalties, coming out 2-of-5 in the power play.

“We took the first three penalties and we didn’t want to take any.” said Wolves head coach John Anderson. “You can’t get down 3-nothing and expect to come back every time.”

As for the Wolves, they were unable to score on any power plays. They were ranked last in the power play during the regular season. Throughout the Western Conference Quarterfinals, they did rank fifth place out of the 16 AHL playoff teams in the power play.

“I really can’t put my finger on it,” said Anderson. “I really think our power play has been better probably since January. We weren’t great, but we weren’t as bas as we were the first three months.”

Going against a team that ranks among the leaders in power plays, the Wolves are going to need to turn it around. They have led the series so far in shots, the opportunities have been there for the Wolves if they can capitalize on them.

#ChicagoWolves drop Game 1 of WCSF to the @TorontoMarlies 5-2. CHI goals from @Hanson20er and @MikeGDavies as CHI leads SOG 39-35. #CHIvsTOR

— Chicago Wolves Live (@ChiWolvesLive) May 10, 2014

The Wolves were able to battle to Game 5 in the quarterfinals, and several of those games did not look great for them, either.

“We’re a little battle tested now, probably more than Toronto,” said Anderson. “We’ve faced elimination. So I think that works in our favor.”

Games 3 and 4 are in Toronto, so momentum will be important for the Wolves going forward.