CENTRAL DIVISION FINALS, GAME 1 - IOWA WILD AT CHICAGO WOLVES
May 1, 2019
Iowa Wild (3-2) vs. Chicago Wolves (3-2)
Central Division Final, Game 1 (Series Tied 0-0)
Continuing its first Calder Cup Playoff stretch in team history, the Iowa Wild advanced to the Central Division Final to take on the Chicago Wolves. During the regular season, Iowa went 4-2-2-0 against the Wolves, with four of those games needed overtime to decide a winner. Chicago finished the season in first place in the Central Division with 98 points, while the Wild placed third with 87 points.
Last Game
The Wild sunk the Milwaukee Admirals in the decisive Game 5 Monday night, earning a 2-1 victory for the franchise’s first-ever Calder Cup Playoffs series win. Forward Cal O’Reilly put Iowa in the lead early in the first and defenseman Louie Belpedio banked his first goal in off the end boards, off the Milwaukee goaltender and into the net midway through the third to secure the victory. Goaltender Andrew Hammond stopped 26 of 27 shots in the contest.
WILD Notables
- Iowa is the only team in the Calder Cup Playoffs to score a power-play goal in every game.
- Forward Cal O’Reilly has an eight-game point streak dating back to the regular season, amassing 10 points (6g, 4a) during that stretch, second-most in the AHL during that time period.
- Goaltender Andrew Hammond leads the AHL playoffs in minutes played (309:55) and (133) and is tied for first in shutouts (1).
- The Wild boasts the best penalty kill (95.7 percent) with the second-most penalty killing opportunities.
- Iowa’s 20 goals for and plus-10 scoring differential are the best marks in the Calder Cup Playoffs
WOLVES Notables
- Chicago defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins in the Central Division Semifinals, earning the 3-2 series win.
- Forwards Tye McGinn and Tomas Hyka lead the Wolves with six points each (3g, 3a and 2g, 4a, respectively).
- Chicago averages 22 PIM per game, second-most in the Calder Cup Playoffs and first among remaining teams.
- Nine of Chicago’s 15 goals so far in the playoffs have come in the second period.
The Iowa Wild 2018-19 season is presented by MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and runs from October through April. For more information, please contact the Wild office by calling 515-564-8700 or by visiting www.iowawild.com.