ROSEMONT, Ill.—The Wolves took the ice for their first postseason game since capturing the 2022 Calder Cup championship when they faced the Rockford IceHogs in Game 1 of the Central Division First Round on Wednesday night at Allstate Arena.
Juha Jaaska had a goal for the Wolves but Artyom Levshunov scored the winner in overtime to give the IceHogs a 2-1 victory and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series that will resume with Game 2 on Friday night in Rockford.
“We were a little bit nervous at the start but we got our game going so we need to just keep doing that and we will be good on Friday,” Jaaska said. “We can be mad here for five or 10 minutes but then you have to move on.”
After a scoreless opening period, the Wolves struck first midway through the second. While on the power play, Ty Smith teed up a shot from the point that Jaaska redirected past Rockford netminder Drew Commesso to the stick side. In addition to Smith, Ryan Suzuki was awarded an assist on the Wolves’ first tally of the postseason.
Kevin Korchinski’s score late in the second evened the contest at 1-1 and set up a thrilling third period and subsequent overtime.
Levshunov ended things with a power-play goal with 9 minutes remaining in OT.
Spencer Martin (34 saves) took the loss in goal for the Wolves while Commesso (32 saves) earned the win for the IceHogs.
The Wolves will now look to regroup for a win-or-go-home contest.
“It’s actually really cool to play those games,” Jaaska said. “When the pressure is on we could play (Thursday) and everybody would be ready. We’re going to be ready, that’s for sure.”
Up next: The Wolves travel to Rockford to face the IceHogs for Game 2 of the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday night (7 p.m.).
Fans interested in Wolves tickets for the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs should call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or go here.
