Wolves can't erase 3-0 deficit, drop Game 1

Toronto capitalized on its first 2 power-play chances and didn't flinch when the Chicago Wolves rallied to post a 5-2 victory Friday night at Allstate Arena in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals at Allstate Arena.

Center Peter Holland paced the Marlies with a goal and 2 assists. Forwards Christian Hanson and Michael Davies scored for the Wolves, who host Game 2 of the best-of-seven series at 7 p.m. today.

"We took the first three penalties and we didn't want to take any," said Wolves head coach John Anderson. "You can't get down 3-0 and expect to come back every time. We were pretty calm, we thought we still had a chance. That's what I like about our team, but the reality is that's just a little too much to come back from."

After Toronto took a 3-0 lead early in the second period, the Wolves made it 3-1 on Hanson's goal at 10:04 of the second. Mark Cundari launched a slap shot from inside the blue line that banged off the back boards to Hanson, who was stationed by the right post and lifted the rebound over Toronto goaltender Drew MacIntyre's leg.

The Wolves made it 3-2 at 17:26 on Davies' first postseason goal.

Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa fired a two-line outlet pass to Ty Rattie near the Toronto blue line. Rattie re-directed a no-look pass to Davies, who rushed ahead of the Toronto defense and lifted a shot over MacIntyre from just outside the crease.