‘Everybody is excited’

April 03, 2025

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wolves gearing up for postseason run

After a two-season absence, the Wolves are back where they belong: In the playoffs!

When they rallied to defeat the Griffins 4-3 on Wednesday night in Grand Rapids, the Wolves clinched a berth in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs, marking Chicago’s first trip to the postseason since capturing the 2022 Calder Cup championship.

It is the 22^nd time in franchise history the Wolves reached the playoffs where they will seek the organization’s sixth league title.

“This is just kind of a testament to all the work we put in throughout the year,” said veteran forward Ryan Suzuki, who had three assists in Wednesday’s clincher. “For a lot of guys it will be their first playoffs in a while. I didn’t get to play when we made that deep run (In 2022) so it will be my first experience, too. I’m looking forward to that.”

Defenseman Ronan Seeley, whose first two seasons with the Wolves ended without postseason appearances, said, “Everybody is excited. It’s on all of our minds and everybody is dialed in and ready to go. For me, personally, I just can’t wait. Playoffs are always the most fun time of year so I just want it to get going.”

Added first-year head coach Cam Abbott: “I’ve never considered missing the playoffs as being any type of option. You need to establish yourself through the course of the season to be ready and play your best hockey at the end of the year and into the playoffs.”

The Wolves currently stand tied with the Griffins for third place in the Central with a record of 32-28-4-0 with seven regular-season games remaining.

The third-place finisher in the Central will avoid a three-game play-in series and advance right into the first round.

“We’re still hoping for that third spot to get out of that play-in series,” Seeley said. “We just have to win games, that’s all it is. Getting into that third spot would be great but we just have to win.”

Matchups and dates for the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs will be announced as the regular season moves along.

Fans interested in ticket information for the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs should call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit ChicagoWolves.com.

SWANEY SET TO LEAD THE WAY

Nick Swaney is able to find a positive in the spate of injuries that has kept the veteran out of the Wolves lineup for all but 41 of the team’s 65 games this season.

“I’m fresh as can be down the stretch,” Swaney, 27, said. “I’ll be pushing every single night leading by example and doing everything I can to help the team.”

Three times this season Swaney has been sidelined, twice by concussions and once with a broken finger. Despite the setbacks, he has maintained a positive mental approach.

“When you get hurt you can look at it like, ‘why is it me? Why is it happening again?’ ” Swaney said. “That’s only going to make things worse so you just have to try and stay positive and know you’ll be back and when you do get back you have to make the most of the opportunity.”

With a young team fighting for third place in the Central Division with seven regular-season games remaining, Swaney’s steadying presence in the lineup should provide a lift to the Wolves.

“Every shift is the most important shift out there,” said Swaney, who has eight goals and 10 assists this season. “For me, it’s leading by example and using my voice when I can in the locker room. We have a young group so it’s just knowing that you get down and you get up and you just have to stay even keel in every situation and the good things will come.”

IMPACT PLAY OF THE WEEK

Justin Robidas’ game-tying goal off a terrific pass from Ryan Suzuki pulled the Wolves into a 2-2 tie with the Griffins on Wednesday night in Grand Rapids. The Wolves went on to win 4-3 and move into a tie with Grand Rapids for third place in the Central Division.

C.D.E. COLLISION CENTERS’ COLLISION OF THE WEEK

Even without a stick, Wolves forward Nikita Pavlychev managed to drop the Coachella Valley Firebirds’ Max Lajoie during Saturday night’s game at Allstate Arena.

SAVE OF THE WEEK

With the clock winding down and the Wolves seconds from clinching a berth in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs, goaltender Spencer Martin came up with the gem to stone Grand Rapids’ Sheldon Dries and secure Chicago’s 4-3 victory over the Griffins on Wednesday night.

 

Weekly rewind (1-1-1-0)

SATURDAY, MARCH 29

Firebirds 3, Wolves 2 (OT): Justin Robidas and Skyler Brind’Amour scored but in the end the Firebirds prevailed on Jagger Firkus’ overtime goal to snap the Wolves’ two-game winning streak.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30

Firebirds 4, Wolves 0: The Wolves weren’t able to solve Firebirds goaltender Victor Ostman, who made 29 saves for his first shutout of the season.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2

Wolves 4, Griffins 3: Josiah Slavin, Justin Robidas, Juha Jaaska and Bradly Nadeau scored goals and Ryan Suzuki chipped in with three assists to help the Wolves clinch a berth in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. The win also pulled the Wolves into a tie with the Griffins for third place in the Central Division with seven regular-season games remaining.

First Star of the Week

Where we stand

33-28-4-0, third in the Central Division.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE