Chicago Wolves/Carolina Hurricanes forward Ryan Suzuki (16) looks on against the Florida Panthers during a game at Lenovo Center. (Source: James Guillory-Imagn Images)The Chicago Wolves beat the Texas Stars 6-1 in Game Five of the Central Division Semifinals to advance to the division finals.
Chicago got off to a fiery start, going on a 4-0 shooting run in the opening 2:32 minutes where the second and third shots resulted in goals by forwards Ryan Suzuki and Josiah Slavin. For a period of 6:50 minutes mid-period, the Stars outshot the Wolves 6-1 but Chicago goalie Cayden Primeau was impenetrable. Chicago had the six of the last seven shots of the frame despite Texas getting a power play in that time.
Both teams were relatively even with the shot differential 10-9 just barely in favor of Texas. Each team exchanged a goal, although Chicago failed to convert on a four-minute power play as a result of a double minor.
On the other hand, when Chicago got a power play opportunity in the second minute of the final period, Suzuki cashed in with his second goal of the game to give the Wolves a 4-1 lead. After two more empty-netters, one that completed Suzuki's hattrick, it was clear this season had sailed for Texas and had now put the Wolves one step closer to the Calder Cup Finals.
Chicago goalie Primeau made 25 saves off 26 shots for a save percentage 0.962.
Texas goalie Remi Poirier made 26 saves off 30 shots for a save percentage of 0.867.