Give Wolves center Jamie Baker an A for effort . . . and atonement.
And give the Wolves a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven International Hockey League Western Conference semifinal series against the Milwaukee Admirals.
Baker’s goal at 4 minutes 53 seconds of the second overtime period–his second tally of the night–lifted the Wolves to an up-tempo 5-4 victory Thursday at the Bradley Center. The game-winner was less-than-pretty, coming when Baker’s centering attempt from behind the Admirals net struck Milwaukee’s Jeff Nelson and bounded past goalie Danny Lorenz.
But in the second period, Baker’s turnover at the Wolves’ blue line was even uglier. His pass was picked off and buried by Milwaukee’s Steve Tuttle at 6:58 to give the Admirals a 2-1 lead.
When the second overtime rolled around, however, that was ancient history.
“Jamie’s a pro,” said Wolves coach John Anderson. “(The turnover) might have been the best thing that happened to him. He really came on strong after that.”
Baker, and the rest of the Wolves, seemed to find added spark after Anderson juggled his three forward lines midway through the second period.
“I made a mistake and went to the top line (with wingers Steve Maltais and Mark Rodgers),” Baker quipped. “I should have done it a long time ago.”
Also scoring for the Wolves were Steve Martins, Alexander Semak and Steve Larouche.
By cashing in on odd-man breaks late in the second period, the Wolves were able to jump ahead 3-2 after two periods. Semak broke in alone and beat Lorenz at 13:13. Larouche converted a two-on-one with Chris Marinucci at 14:33.
Milwaukee’s Marc Hussey tied it 3-3 at 1:48 of the third period. But Baker’s first goal, scored at 9:03 when he was left open at the edge of the crease, restored Chicago’s lead at 4-3.
But the Wolves, who were 30-0-1 during the regular season when leading after 40 minutes, weren’t able to hold on for a regulation win. Milwaukee’s Shannon Finn beat Wolves goalie Stephane Beauregard from the left point with 6:42 left in the third to set up overtime.
Game 5 will be Saturday in Milwaukee.
