Wolves within 1 win of title

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. -- After facing an early 1-0 deficit, the Chicago Wolves came back to set a postseason franchise record with 5 goals in a span of 10:59 during the second period and never let up, beating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 6-1 in Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza on Wednesday night.

The Wolves lead the best-of-seven series 3-0 and are 1 victory from claiming the American Hockey League championship for the second time since joining the league in 2001. Game 4 is Friday in Wilkes-Barre.

"Whenever you have a chance to close a team out, you don't want to let it go by," said Wolves coach John Anderson. "We're going to do our best to come out and do that on Friday."

Five different players found the back of the net for the Wolves, including right wing Jesse Schultz, who had 2 goals, putting the Wolves on the verge of their fourth title in 11 years. They won two titles in the International Hockey League (1998, 2000).

Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec stopped 24 shots and kept the Penguins off the scoreboard for the last 49:26 of the game, the 12th time in 21 playoff outings that the rookie goalie has held the opponent to 2 goals or less.

"Our goaltender kept us in the first period. He made two breakaway saves that were just spectacular," Anderson said. "Their fans are tremendous and got behind them, but I thought we controlled the puck better in the second, and having a 5-1 lead takes a lot of pressure off in the third."