The Wolves’ principal owner, Don Levin, went into Saturday night’s game with the Blackhawks’ Indianapolis farm team with fingers crossed.
“Let’s hope we play our game, not their game,” said Levin, mindful of the teams’ completely different styles.
In winning 5-2 before a crowd of 10,427 in the Horizon, the Wolves played their game.
The name of the game was offense. And, when it was over, Levin called it “the best game of the year.”
By the same token, it was the worst performance of the season for the Hawks’ farmhands who lead the Central Division and boast by far the best defensive record in the International Hockey League.
The Wolves, meanwhile, are second in the Midwest Division–only one point behind San Antonio–and flaunt the IHL’s second-highest scoring offense.
In winning for the eighth time in the last nine games, the Wolves seized a 2-0 lead in the first period and didn’t let up until the third period–after they’d propped goalie Warren Young upon a 5-1 cushion.
“The first period was flawless,” said Wolves coach Grant Mulvey. “When our 10 forwards skate and start throwing the puck around, it can throw fits into a defense.
“I know the Blackhawks’ system–playing hard, finishing checks and playing a very strong defensive game–and that’s what Indianapolis has been doing.”
Although the Wolves were outshot 39-30, they dictated the tempo. Dan Currie and Tim Bergland each stung Ice goaltender Mark Lamothe from close in on two occasions, and Doug Barrault accounted for the other Chicago goal.
The Wolves now embark on their longest trip of the season, a nine-game journey that will begin Tuesday in Detroit.
The status of Steve Gosselin, who set up the first two goals, is uncertain. Mulvey said the defenseman sustained a possible separated shoulder when he fell into the boards late in the second period.
