Lehtonen keeps Wolves’ season alive

For the fourth time in the series, Kari Lehtonen reached the 40-save mark, making 43 saves as Chicago defeated Milwaukee, 2-1, to take Game 5 of the West Division final on Wednesday night.

The Admirals still have a 3-2 lead in the series, with Game 6 slated for Chicago’s Allstate Arena on Friday night.

Lehtonen, the second overall pick in the 2002 NHL Draft, has faced 229 shots in five playoff games against Milwaukee, turning aside 216 for a .943 save percentage. The 20-year-old Helsinki native made 56 saves in a double-overtime loss in Game 1, 54 stops in a pivotal Game 3 victory and 40 in a Game 4 setback.

Steve Maltais had a goal and an assist for the Wolves, and Joe DiPenta scored the winning goal just 23 seconds after Curtis Murphy had tied the score for the Admirals in the third period.

Wade Flaherty made 22 saves in the loss. Milwaukee outshot Chicago 44-24 in the game, and has a 230-156 edge in the series.