Wildcard Round Review - Game 5 Looms Large

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After the Vancouver Wolves torrid finish to the season, they clinched a spot in the postseason and faced off with the Los Angeles Stars in the wildcard round.  This series was expected to be a back and forth affair and it has certainly lived up to its billing so far.

 

Game One got off to a slow start with neither team scoring a goal in the first period. This was despite three separate penalties, with each team's powerplay lines unable to take advantage of the opportunity.  In the second goal, Los Angeles began to assert itself with goal first form Nezuko and then a following goal less than a minute later from Scoish Velociraptor Maloish.  This 2-0 lead didn't immediately seem insurmountable for Vancouver, but quickly became such with a Sunglasses Joyo goal 36 seconds into the third period to give the Stars 3-0.  Los Angeles wasn't satisfied to simply run out the clock, though, as they continued to pour it on the overmatched Wolves.  In total, the Stars scored four goals in the final period to take the opening game by a blowout score of 6-1.  

 

Game Two felt like a must-win for Vancouver after the poor showing in the opening game, but unfortunately for Wolves' fans it was more of the same. Todd Cooke kept the offense flowing for Los Angeles and scored a first period goal.  Vancouver's defense rose up to the occasion and prevented any further goals in the rest of the first period and second period.  This led to a razor-thin game entering the third period with Los Angeles up 1-0.  The game was fully in balance until Todd Cooke added his second goal of the game which gave the Stars a 2-0 lead.  Despite Vancouver throwing everything towards their offense as a last ditch effort to score, they were unsuccessful and even gave up another goal in the process.  With that, Los Angeles took a 2-0 lead and Vancouver's hopes were all but dashed.

 

Game Three got started exactly how Vancouver needed with a Henry Eagles goal just one minute into the first period.  This jolt of energy gave the Wolves all the confidence in the world and most certainly impacted their on-ice play.  They began skating faster, executing more precise passes, and ratched up the defense. That heightened play led to another first period goal to give Vancouver a 2-0 lead, thanks to Wann Kerr.  This lead remained throughout the rest of the period and through the second, although Los Angeles did claw one back to make it 2-1 entering the final period. Los Angeles tied the game at 2-2, but Vancouver found another gear and retook the lead for good thanks to Bob Vladovechsenkchushkin and his game-winning goal. Vancouver stays alive and notched the 3-2 victory.

 

Game Four was yet another elimination game for Vancouver and it appears their success in the previous game continued to spill over to this matchup. After the two teams traded a goal each in the first period, the Wolves began to dominate the final two-thirds of the game. A pair of goals each in the second and third periods pushed the Wolves' lead to 5-2 allowing them to yet again stave off elimination.  This brings up a crucial Game Five where the winner will advance and the loser must pack their bags.  Who will take it?

 

(560 words)