Toronto Marlies advance, sweep Chicago Wolves in Western Conference Semifinals

The Toronto Marlies edged one step closer to the 2014 Calder Cup Friday night following a 4-0 victory over the Chicago Wolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The win represents the first time the Wolves have been swept since the 2005 Calder Cup Finals. The Marlies remain undefeated this post-season.

The Marlies started strong in Game 4, scoring eight minutes into the first period with a goal from forward Greg McKegg. Marlies forward Carter Ashton made the score 2-0 three minutes into the second, ripping a slapshot past Wolves goaltender Jake Allen’s glove. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect and Marlies centre Peter Holland scored on a breakaway seven minutes into the third and final period. The Wolves pulled their goaltender with almost four minutes remaining in the third, and with 4.7 seconds remaining in the game, Marlies defenseman Korbinian Holzer added an empty netter to seal the Wolves’ fate. The win earns Marlies goaltender Drew MacIntyre his second shutout of the playoffs, stopping all 30 shots in Game 4.

“I’ll take anything in a clinching game as long as it’s a win,” said MacIntyre after the game. “Tonight the guys were amazing. We battled and battled. The third period we stuck to our game plan and we didn’t give them anything.”

The Chicago Wolves, AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, out-shot their rivals for the fourth game in a row but failed to capitalize on chances.

“We didn’t have the lead once in the whole series,” said John Anderson, Head Coach for the Chicago Wolves. “That’s it in a nutshell. We looked nervous at the start again tonight. We had that feeling in the very first game and this game too. They just took advantage of our mistakes.”

The Marlies advance to face the Texas Stars in the Western Conference Final. Puck drops Friday May 23 at Cedar Park Centre, Texas.