‘Confidence is sky-high’

May 13, 2026

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WOLVES READY TO ROLL VS. GRIFFINS

Facing a team that got off to the best start in the 90-year history of the American Hockey League and went on to finish with the second-most points in the league would seem like an unenviable task, but the Wolves’ confidence heading in the Central Division Finals against the Grand Rapids Griffins is “sky-high.”

While the Griffins raced to a 40-7-2-1 mark through the first 50 games of the 2025-26 season to set an AHL record and then finished a sparkling 51-16-4-1 for 107 points–three fewer than Providence–it was the Wolves who played them the toughest throughout the campaign.

Chicago posted a 4-2-2-2 record against Grand Rapids and six of the 10 meetings were decided by one goal with five of the contests going past regulation.

“They’re experienced, they have a lot of veterans, they’re dynamic and they’re physical,” Wolves coach Spiros Anastas said of the Griffins. “They’re a complete team and that’s the reason why they had such a historic season. But they’re a team that is one we match up well against. We think that our speed and pace is challenging for their defensemen and the way we move the puck and let the puck do the work is something that can get them running around and create offensive zone opportunities for us.

“But, ultimately, they have great forwards, great defenders and great goaltending and we have that, too, so it’s going to be a great series,” Anastas continued. “Confidence is sky-high and our guys really feel like they can win the series.”

Grand Rapids holds home-ice advantage in the best-of-five series but the Wolves had plenty of success at Van Andel Arena in ’25-26, racking up seven of a possible 10 points in the building by finishing with a 2-0-2-1 record.

“There were times we came off some pretty tough stretches of games and going into Grand Rapids we actually used that as a positive and builder for us to get our of funks that we felt throughout the season,” Anastas said. “I don’t think there are too many teams in the American Hockey League that felt that way going into GR. So that confidence will play a big factor in this round, especially since we just beat an opponent (the Texas Stars) that we struggled with in the regular season.”

Along with matching up well with the Griffins across the board, the Wolves will have had eight days off prior to Game 1 on Thursday night and will enter the showdown rested and healthy.

“We’re in a good spot right now,” Anastas said regarding the health of the team. “Obviously, there are some nicks and bumps and bruises and that’s to be expected but we came out pretty unscathed from Texas. We’ve managed some guys with some extra days off or extra therapy and, thankfully, the Carolina Hurricanes are healthy as well as that usually has an impact on the AHL playoffs. We’re in a great spot, but more important than anything physical is that we’re all mentally in a great spot.

“That includes the coaching staff as well,” Anastas concluded with a laugh.

–Chris Kuc

grizzled gunler

As a 20-year-old, Noel Gunler had just completed a season overseas in the Swedish Hockey League when he made his AHL debut with the Wolves during their electric run to the 2022 Calder Cup championship. The 6-foot-1-inch Swedish winger appeared in 11 regular-season games followed by another 10 contests as the Wolves marched to their sixth league championship.

A rookie who looked up to Wolves veterans such as Andrew Poturalski, Stefan Noesen and Jack Drury, Gunler didn’t know any better than to not think and play the game regardless of the intense pressure the postseason often brings.

Four years later, Gunler is now a wise, battled-tested veteran as the Wolves get set to take on the Grand Rapids Griffins in the Central Division Finals.

“I didn’t know what to expect [in 2022], but it was great for me to come in and play,” Gunler said. “Making it that far is something you want to do again and to play in those types of games. It’s a good feeling for sure and something everyone wants to do.”

Gunler is one of a few players–including Ryan Suzuki, who was also a member of the ’22 team–who has meaningful postseason experience among a Wolves team that features one of the youngest groups in the AHL.

Regardless of age or experience, Gunler believes the Wolves’ current forward core rivals ’22 as each squad could roll four lines with depth across the lineup.

He also believes the Wolves have developed a tight-knit relationship off the ice, similar to four seasons ago.

“Everybody loved playing for each other and showing up to work every day,” Gunler said of the 2021-22 Wolves. “This team is the same way and we can’t wait to get going.”

As for matching up against the Western Conference’s regular-season best?

“I think we just have to be confident in our game,” Gunler said. “We’ve been good against the Griffins all year so I don’t think we need to change anything. We have to trust ourselves and not think too much about them and just play our game.”

–Danny Karmin

 

IMPACT NETWORKING PLAY OF THE CENTRAL DIVISION SEMIFINALS

In a winner-take-all Game 5 against the Stars on May 5 at Allstate Arena, forward Ryan Suzuki set the tone early with his first of three goals. Suzuki struck 26 seconds into the opening period when Bradly Nadeau put a pass right into his wheelhouse and the veteran fired a one-timer from the right circle that beat Texas netminder Remi Poirier to the glove side.

 

C.D.E. COLLISION CENTERS’ COLLISION OF THE CENTRAL DIVISION SEMIFINALS

Wolves forward Noah Philp sent Stars defenseman Luke Krys hard into the boards with a crushing check during Game 3 on May 2 at Allstate Arena.

SAVE OF THE CENTRAL DIVISION SEMIFINALS

While shorthanded during Game 4 against Texas on May 3 at Allstate Arena, Wolves goaltender Cayden Primeau made a diving, desperation glove save on the Stars’ Kole Lind late in the third period.

 

central division semifinals rewind (3-2)

TUESDAY, APRIL 28

Stars 2, Wolves 0: In a classic goaltending showdown, the Stars’ Remi Poirier (16 saves) out-dueled the Wolves’ Cayden Primeau (25 saves) to propel Texas to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

Wolves 5, Stars 4 (OT):  The Wolves rallied from three separate deficits to stun the Stars in overtime. Domenick Fensore scored the game-winner, Juuso Valimaki had two goals, Cal Foote scored and added an assist and Noel Gunler also tallied.

SATURDAY, MAY 2

Wolves 2, Stars 1: Noah Philp and Ryan Suzuki scored to propel the Wolves to the victory in their first home postseason contest since Chicago’s 2022 Calder Cup championship run.

SUNDAY, MAY 3

Stars 5, Wolves 4 (OT): The Wolves got goals from Bradly Nadeau, Evan Vierling, Ivan Ryabkin and Noah Philp but the Stars rallied to even the series.

TUESDAY, MAY 5

Wolves 6, Stars 1: Ryan Suzuki scored three goals, Josiah Slavin, Viktor Neuchev and Aleksi Heimosalmi each tallied and Bradly Nadeau chipped in two assists to help the Wolves move on to Central Division Finals.

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