It was a best of 5 battle between the AHL's most storied organization (Hershey Bears) and the IHL's newest dynasty (Chicago Wolves). Both teams entered the playoffs red hot. The Wolves won game one (3-2) on late goal by Brad Tapper. Game 2 saw Hershey build a 4-1 lead before the Wolves pulled to with in a goal to start the 3rd. But a powerplay goal mid-way in the 3rd gave the Bears a tie series. The series went back to the famed Hershey Park Arena for games 3 and 4. After a trip to the hospital for Hershey coach Mike Filigno and a pre-game fight, the Bears dominated the Wolves and took the 2-1 series lead. Facing do or die the next night, the Wolves returned the favor as they won 6-0. That set up the dramatic do or die for both teams in game 5. Hershey scored first but Andreas Karlsson taillied for the Wolves late in the openning period to tie at 1. The Wolves' Kirill Safronov fluttered a power play goal home with 10 minutes left in the second and it looked like the Wolves were on their way. But 5 minutes into the third period, Hershey defenceman Bryan Muir fired one past Wolves goalie Norm Maracle to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Wolves took the face off right down the ice and on a tic tack toe passing play, Wolves winger Simon Gamache was wide open but missed the empty net as the goaltender was out of position. But the rebound bounced off the back wall and out in front where Steve Maltais pounded in the series winning goal just 1:20 into overtime. It was the 6th consecutive playoff series that was won by the Wolves and their 6th consecutive playoff overtime win.
