CHICAGO 2, TEXAS 0
Making his first start of the postseason, Drew MacIntyre turned in a 28-save shutout performance on Sunday as Chicago kept its season alive with a 2-0 win over Texas at Allstate Arena in Game 6 of the West Division Finals.
The teams will now play a do-or-die Game 7 on Tuesday night in Chicago, with the winner advancing to a date in the Western Conference Finals against either Hamilton or Abbotsford.
MacIntyre, who had made three relief appearances behind Peter Mannino this postseason before getting the nod in Sunday’s must-win, made 13 saves in the first period, nine in the second, and 12 more in the third frame.
Prior to Sunday, the Stars had not been shut out since a 2-0 loss to Chet Pickard and the Milwaukee Admirals back on Nov. 27.
With his second career AHL postseason shutout, Mannino improved his career Calder Cup Playoff record above the .500 mark at 12-11.
The red-hot Anthony Stewart provided all the offense Mannino would need when he buried his team-leading ninth goal of the playoffs at 12:28 of the first period. Tim Stapleton and Matt Anderson earned helpers on Stewart’s AHL-best sixth power play strike.
Stewart, whose nine goals overall give him a share of second place in the league, has now scored three times in his last two games and has at least a point in seven straight outings (7-2-9).
Chicago clung to the slim 1-0 lead for nearly two full periods before Joey Crabb provided insurance 6:06 into the third frame, registering his sixth goal of the playoffs. Anderson and Stapleton also earned assists on Crabb’s marker to finish with multiple-point efforts.
The Wolves, who moved to 11-4 in AHL playoff elimination games, will now host their second consecutive Game 7 this postseason, following a 2-1 victory over Milwaukee on Apr. 26 in the decisive game of their first-round series.
Texas starting goaltender Brent Krahn left the game due to injury 14:59 into the first period. Matt Climie stopped 26 of 27 shots in relief for the Stars.
West Division Finals – Series “L” (best-of-7)
W1-Chicago Wolves vs. W2-Texas Stars
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 30 – Texas 4, CHICAGO 3 (OT)
Game 2 – Sun., May 2 – CHICAGO 4, Texas 3 (2OT)
Game 3 – Tue., May 4 – Chicago 5, TEXAS 3
Game 4 – Wed., May 5 – TEXAS 3, Chicago 2
Game 5 – Fri., May 7 – TEXAS 5, Chicago 3
Game 6 – Sun., May 9 – CHICAGO 2, Texas 0
Game 7 – Tue., May 11 – Texas at Chicago, 8:00
