Colorado takes 2-1 series lead over the Wolves

For the first time this postseason, the Chicago Wolves lost consecutive games.

Chicago suffered a 3-2 defeat to the Colorado Eagles in Game 3 of the AHL Western Conference Finals to fall behind 2-1 in the series. With 50 seconds remaining in Tuesday’s game Colorado in Rosemont, forward Ivan Ivan scored the game-winning goal to break the deadlock at two apiece.

The Wolves trailed 2-0 entering the third period before defenders Domenick Fensore and Cal Foote scored goals in the first half of the period to even the contest.

“Not surprising,” Chicago coach Spiros Anastas said of his team’s third period rally. “We’ve done that a bunch this year, so I expected it after the first period.”

The Eagles opened up the scoring just under 10 minutes into the contest, as Colorado forward Chase Bradley redirected a shot by defender Keaton Middleton to take a 1-0 lead. Ivan picked up an assist on the goal. Chicago escaped the period after getting outshot 18-4 on goal, as goaltender Cayden Primeau tallied 17 of his series-high 36 saves in the frame.

In the second period, the Wolves came out firing, totaling 18 shots on goal to the Eagles’ 11. However, no shots found the back of the net, as Colorado goaltender Trent Miner stood tall with 18 saves.

The Eagles extended their lead to 2-0 with fewer than three minutes remaining in the second period. Left winger Matt DiMarsico found forward Tye Felhaber right between the two circles, and Felhaber fired a shot that found the back of the net. Right winger Gavin Brindley recorded an assist.

Chicago’s first offensive possession of the third period secured a short-handed goal. In a 3-on-2 transition, center Justin Robidias made his way up the left side of the ice before firing a pass to Fensore right between the two circles. Fensore narrowed the deficit to one by finding nylon.

After forcing a turnover about nine minutes into the third period, Wolves left winger Bradley Nedeau recorded his eighth assist of the postseason, finding Foote, who scored a goal near the left dot to even the contest at two apiece.

Anastas said that he felt the 40 minutes in the second and third periods were the team’s best 40 minutes of the series.

“Unfortunately, when you’re chasing, even with a good response, it just takes one shot to put it away for the other team, and that’s what happened,” Anastas said.

Ivan’s goal, which was assisted by Bradley and defender Sean Behrans, sealed the contest and helped Colorado take a 2-1 series lead.

Chicago hosts Game 4 at 7 p.m. Wednesday with hopes of evening the series.

“It should be an advantage for us,” Anastas said. “We’ve (played back-to-backs) a lot. We’re at home. We’re a good back-to-back team.”