Wolves win to even series with Texas Stars

The Chicago Wolves needed to score twice in two sudden-death overtime sessions - although only the second goal counted - to beat the Texas Stars 4-3 and even up their Western Division final at one game apiece Sunday.

With 25 seconds off the clock in the initial overtime, a puck off Riley Holzapfel's skate found its way past Stars goalie Brent Krahn, but referee Kyle Rehman immediately waved off the goal - much to the dismay of the 3,732 at Allstate Arena.

In the second overtime, the Wolves' Anthony Stewart was digging for the puck under Krahn during a scrum in front of the Stars net and eventually put it past him for the game-winner, his second goal of the night.

"It's a great feeling," Stewart said. "I didn't even know it was in until I saw (Brent) Sterling celebrating."

During the first overtime, Rehman had whistled Stars forward Warren Peters for a hold and Wolves defenseman Chris Chelios for a dive that reignited boos directed at Rehman.

"The hardest part was keeping the guys off the referee," said Wolves coach Don Lever. "They were wasting energy on them."

The Wolves were ahead 3-2 with under a minute to play in regulation when Krahn was pulled for an extra attacker. Peters pushed the tying goal past a sprawling Peter Mannino with 54 seconds left.

Midway through the first period, center Kevin Doell set up the Wolves' first goal but paid a price. Friday night's hero, Texas defenseman Garret Stafford, became even more of an enemy to Wolves fans when he elbowed Doell in the face as Doell came from behind the Stars' net with the puck. Doell left the game and was taken to the hospital for tests.