The Stockton Heat need to win four more games to advance to the Calder Cup Final. The Chicago Wolves need just two.
The Wolves won Games 1 and 2 in Chicago to start the AHL Western Conference Final, setting the stage for a critical three-game stretch at Stockton Arena.
The Heat trail the Wolves 2–0 but will have three opportunities to pick up wins on home ice before the series shifts back to Chicago (if necessary) for Games 6 and 7.
It’s not as though the Heat haven’t been competitive in this series. Game 1 ended 5–4 in overtime.