MacIntyre helps Wolves force a Game 7

Chicago Wolves goalie Drew MacIntyre took advantage of his first start in the series, stopping all 28 shots he faced Sunday for his third career playoff shutout.

And no one was happier than coach Don Lever. "Thank God," he said. "His experience kept us in the game early on."

The Wolves' 2-0 Game 6 victory evened the series with the Texas Stars, with the deciding game Tuesday night at Allstate Arena.

MacIntyre was tested early and often to start the game, with 2 early penalties forcing him to quickly shake off any rust he had. The 26-year-old didn't seem fazed as the Wolves killed off all 5 penalties in the game.

"You're best penalty-killer is your goalie," Lever said. "(Noah) Welch, (Chris) Chelios, (Arturs) Kulda and (Brian) Sipotz played well, too."

Of MacIntyre's 28 stops, none was bigger than his kick-save on left wing Andrew Gagnon.

The Wolves were a man down with 8:05 left in regulation, and MacIntyre had to slide hard to his right to deny the wide-open Gagnon in front of the net.

The red-hot Wolves power play started the game off right when Anthony Stewart scored his ninth goal of the playoffs. Center Matt Anderson patiently found Tim Stapleton, who went to the net and slipped a pass to Stewart parked in front.

The Stars caught some bad luck in the first period when goalie Matt Climie replaced Brent Krahn, who appeared to be injured with 5:01 left in the first period.

The Wolves extended their lead on a Joey Crabb goal six minutes into the third period with assists from Stapleton and Anderson.

Fresh off Garret Staffords return from a three-game suspension for his hit on Wolves center Kevin Doell, Stars defenseman Trevor Ludwig cross-checked left wing Brett Sterling in the face, sending him to the ice.

Much to the dismay of the 3,316 in attendance, Ludwig received a two-minute minor for high-sticking.

Tempers began to flare late in the game, setting the stage for Game 7.