Chicago was quick to produce out of the blocks as Shane Harper jammed the boards, forced Chad Ruhwedel into turnover, and finished off a give-and-go to put the Wolves up 1-0 just 2:02 into play.
The Amerks were able to even the score before heading to the first intermission when Irwin went straight to the post and finished off a Luke Adam feed at 15:21. The power play marker was Irwin's third of the series. Phil Varone added the secondary helper on the play thanks to his zone entry.
The Wolves were quick to score in the first period, and the Amerks returned the favor in the second as the power play would continue to pay off with an Adam beauty at 2:01. Deke, cradle, fire. Adam has scored both of his playoff goals with the man advantage following a regular season that saw him connect on the power play for 16 of his 29 markers. Varone earned his second helper of the game, while Rasmus Ristolainen was credited with an assist for his second point of the series.
Things got testy midway through the second period, culminating with a fight between Nick Deslauriers and former Amerks toughguy Eric Selleck. Selleck received the extra minor for instigating the tilt way behind the play, but the Amerks were unable to produce on the ensuing power play to keep it a 2-1 game.
The momentum shifted from there with the Wolves striking twice before the end of the period on two power plays of their own to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.
With Andrey Makarov unable to regain position after falling on his backside, Brent Regner would pound the puck into the net to tie the game at 17:28.
The pressure continued immediately following the goal, leading to Grigorenko getting whistled for a hooking penalty with 1:17 to play in the period. Dmitrij Jaskin made the Amerks pay less than a minute later by burying a Keith Aucoin pass at the edge of the crease to give the Wolves the 3-2 lead.
The teams would trade opportunities in the third period, but the Amerks were unable to convert the rest of the way. Taylor Chorney's empty-netter sealed the deal with 1:01 left on the clock to shut the door on the Amerks season.
Three stars:
#3 - Jake Allen (21 saves)
#2 - Brent Regner (goal)
#1 - Dmitrij Jaskin (1+1)
***
In the USHL, Cal Petersen made 37 saves to earn the game's number three star as Waterloo advanced to the Clark Cup Final with a 5-1 victory over Sioux City. The Black Hawks, who won the best-of-five semifinal round by a 3-1 count, move on to face the Indiana Ice in the championship series beginning Friday. Petersen has started all seven postseason games for the Black Hawks, racking up six wins, a 2.34 GAA and a .922 save%.
