Wolves fall 3-2, Gulls take 2-1 series lead in Western Conference Finals

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Gulls reeled off three unanswered goals to pick up a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Wolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night at Pechanga Arena.

Forwards Tye McGinn and Curtis McKenzie scored for the Wolves (8-6), who fell behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Goaltender Oscar Dansk (7-5) posted 26 saves in Chicago's first postseason game in California since 2000.

McGinn opened the scoring at 1:35 when he swooped in to knock home the rebound of a Tomas Hyka shot. San Diego answered with Corey Tropp's tip of a Sam Carrick shot at 4:56 of the first.

The Gulls (9-4) pushed their lead to 3-1 in the second period on Sam Steel's short-handed goal and defenseman Trevor Murphy's slap shot from the high slot.

The Wolves pulled Dansk with just more than four minutes remaining and McKenzie knocked home a rebound with 3:30 left to pull the visitors within 3-2.

San Diego goaltender Kevin Boyle (3-0) stopped 21 shots.

The Wolves and Gulls meet for Game 4 at 9 p.m. Friday in San Diego. The game will be televised on NHL Network and streamed on AHLTV (TheAHL.com/AHLTV). If necessary, the series returns to Allstate Arena for Game 6 on Monday, May 27, and Game 7 on Wednesday, May 29. For the best ticket deals, visit ChicagoWolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.