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Tale of the Tape: Game 1 of Western Conference Semifinals

This Western Conference Semifinals series looks like it could go the limit as the Wolves and Marlies are well-matched. Both teams are well-rested as well, so expect a high-octane Game 1 tonight at Allstate Arena.

GAME 1

No. 3 Toronto Marlies (0-0) at No. 2 Chicago Wolves (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
Allstate Arena
TV: U-Too 26.2, XFinity 248 and 360, RCN 35, WOW 170
Radio: AHLLive.com

WOLVES   MARLIES
3.20 Goals per game 4.33
3.00 Goals allowed per game 1.33
32.6 Shots per game 30.7
7 of 27 Power plays 6 of 23
19 of 27 Penalty kills 14 of 15
2 Shorthanded goals 2

A BRIEF PLAYOFF HISTORY

The Wolves are in the final eight for the eighth time in their 13 years as part of the American Hockey League. The Marlies are in the final eight for the third year in a row. They lost to Grand Rapids in the Western Conference Semifinals last season, but advanced to the Calder Cup Finals in 2012 before falling to Norfolk.

Chicago had to go to the limit to defeat Rochester. Meanwhile, Toronto crushed Milwaukee in three straight games by a combined 13-4 score. The Wolves were intrigued by that result because their first nine games with Milwaukee this season were decided by one goal. Wolves head coach John Anderson thinks his team’s more rugged road could be a benefit. “We’re a little battle-tested now, probably a little more than Toronto,” Anderson said. “We’ve faced elimination. So I think that works in our favor.”

NUMBERS TO KNOW 

  • The Wolves have won 21 consecutive playoff series in which they’ve won Game 1.
  • Toronto’s power play ranked ninth among the AHL’s 30 teams during the regular season as the Marlies converted 19.9 percent. They improved that number during their sweep of Milwaukee as they clicked on 26.1 percent.
  • T.J. Brennan led the Marlies with 12 power-play goals and 32 assists on the power play. He joined Hamilton’s Greg Pateryn as the only AHL defensemen to lead their teams in power-play goals.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Dmitrij Jaskin

Wolves left wing Dmitrij Jaskin

The 21-year-old rookie led all AHL scorers in the first round with seven points (2G, 5A). Both of his goals were game-winners as he and Norfolk’s Maxime Sauve were the only two to notch two GWG in the opening round. Jaskin also shared the first-round lead in assists (5), power-play points (5) and power-play assists (4).

Drew MacIntyreMarlies goaltender Drew MacIntyre

Wolves fans fondly remember MacIntyre, who posted a 33-22-3 record with a 2.66 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in 61 appearances during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons. He posted the best GAA among all AHL goalies during the first round of these Calder Cup playoffs as he allowed just four goals in Toronto’s three-game sweep of Milwaukee. MacIntyre earned a 1.33 GAA with a .955 save percentage.