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Wolves Stun Griffins with 2-1 Series Opening Win
Eduards Tralmaks scores the loan goal for the home team...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
May 14, 2026
The Griffins had the start they wanted but not the finish they needed. Eduards Tralmaks opened the scoring midway through the second, and Michal Postava delivered another highlight reel performance, but the Chicago Wolves clawed back with two unanswered goals to steal Game 1 of the series, 2-1. For a Grand Rapids team that thrives on structure and puck control, this one slipped away in the details.
First Period
The visiting Wolves got off to a good start, playing the first several minutes in the Griffins end and jumping out to a lead in shots. Tralmaks had a shot on Primeau after picking up the rebound of a Tuomisto shot, but the Wolves netminder made the save. A Chicago forward came a little close to making contact with Postava after a scoring chance, which drew a hit from Gustafsson. Postava with a pair of big saves, and then Wojciech Stachowiak takes a penalty for holding in front of the netminder. Shorthanded chance by Dries but it is whistled offside. William Lagesson started trading punches with Felix Unger-Sorum and they both went to box. Chicago still on the powerplay, Postava makes the stop, then Fensore made contact with him and then speared him in the groin trying to jar the puck loose. All hell broke loose as Sheldon Dries charged in and Fensore got knocked on his butt behind the net. A big scrum broke out with Dries pummeling Fensore on the ice and Anton Johansson and Skyler Brind'Amour taking exception to each other. Due to the Griffins being down a man, Postava came in to help break up two Wolves roughing up Dominik Shine. Somehow GR ended up on the wrong side of the calls and had the extra man in the box. Now the Griffins had to kill off a 5-on-3.
The league's number one penalty kill came up big again to keep a scoreless tie. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard with a big hit on Legault. Great block by Stachowiak and then on the turnover he had a great scoring chance, weaving in and out of traffic and around the net for a wraparound chance. Grand Rapids ended up on the powerplay with Pavlychev in the box for interference. Tralmaks with a drive from the circle that hit the post. Delayed call to Chicago and at the whistle several Wolves went after Doucet in the corner. Pavlychev was throwing punches and despite the size disadvantage, Doucet gave as good as he got in the exchange. There was also some spirited pushing and shoving with Legault and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, but the officials broke that up. Erik Gustafsson carrying the puck up ice on the powerplay and Cal Foote chopped his ankle, sending him to the ice in pain. No call on the play as Gus limped off the ice. Wolves 2-on-1 and Postava made a huge stop on the first by Gunler and then an even bigger one a second later on a cross-ice pass to Neuchev alone in the slot. Nadeau checked into the Griffins bench and then they opened the door and kicked him back out. Shots on goal: GR 6 - Chi 13.
Second Period
Postava with another huge stop and then the puck lay in the crease until he could cover up. Grand Rapids answered with a couple of good chances in the slot. Philp to the box for high-sticking, which set up another chance for the Griffins Man-advantage unit. Shorthanded breakaway for Nadeau but Postava came up big. The tide appears to be turning halfway through the game as Grand Rapids has started to generate some better scoring chances and time of possession. Carter Mazur turned the puck over in the slot and Postava with a quick reaction to make the stop. Antti Tuomisto with a couple of big drives from the line on Primeau. Mazur tried to make a fancy play and turned the puck over again. Tralmaks in front of the net picked up a rebound and scored stick-side for a 1-0 lead. Mazur sick move to beat a defender and then cut in on net for a point-blank scoring chance. Doucet called for an iffy trip that was more of a dive. On the ensuing powerplay, Chicago's Unger-Sorum found Robidas in the slot, and he flicked a shot past Postava to knot the score at one. Shots on goal: GR 11 - Chi 11.
Third Period
Mazur with another great individual effort to create a scoring chance out of nothing. He again used his speed down the wing, beat a defender and then cut in on net for a backhand chance that just hit the crossbar and stayed out. Shine called for tripping and the Wolves back on the powerplay. The Griffins killed it off and Shine came out of the box to join the rush. He took a crosscheck up high, and he immediately doubled over and dropped his gloves. Clearly hurt he made his way back to the bench and down the tunnel. No call on the play. As play continued the puck went back down into the Griffins end and Nystrom went cross ice to Slavin who was wide open back door for an easy snipe and a 2-1 lead. It was a tough turn of events to lose your captain with no call and give up the game-winner on the same shift. Tralmaks with a big hit on Seeley behind the Wolves net and then Mazur put a hip into Vierling at center ice and sent him flying. Gustafsson with speed up the wing for a good chance on Primeau. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard was called for a late hooking call stalling the Griffins comeback attempt. Postava to the bench with just over a minute left, but the Griffins are unable to get possession in the Wolves zone as time runs out. Shots on Goal: GR 7 - Chi 8. For the Game: GR 24 - Chi 32.
Starting Lines:
#81 Rychlovsky - #49 Stachowiak - #34 Tralmaks
#19 Leonard - #15 Dries - #65 Shine
#28 Brandsegg-Nygard - #93 Lombardi - #43 Mazur
#47 Doucet - #11 Seger - #77 Angle
Pairs:
#22 Wallinder - #23 Johansson
#56 Gustafsson - #4 Tuomisto
#37 Lagesson - #44 Sandin-Pelikka
Goaltenders:
Starter: #35 Postava
Backup: #33 Cossa
Scratches:
#8 Buium
#25 Becher
#26 James
#29 Danielson (Injured)
#30 Augustine
#41 Kannok Leipert
#51 Watson
#55 Genborg (injured)
Power Play:
#43 Mazur - #93 Lombardi - #49 Stachowiak
#56 Gustafsson - #34 Tralmaks
#28 Brandsegg-Nygard - #15 Dries - #65 Shine
#44 Sandin-Pelikka - #19 Leonard
Penalty Kill:
#15 Dries - #65 Shine
#37 Lagesson - #4 Tuomisto
#19 Leonard - #11 Seger
#22 Wallinder - #23 Johansson
Observations:
First Line Still Missing in Action
The Griffins can't extend their postseason run if their top line continues to disappear.
● Dominik Shine has not looked like himself since returning from Detroit - the energy, physicality, and forechecking pressure that define his game have been muted.
● John Leonard isn't just struggling to score; he's struggling to generate anything. The lack of confidence is visible in his hesitation and perimeter play.
This team needs its leaders to drive play, not chase it.
Sloppy Puck Handling Feeds the Wolves
Whether it was bad ice, bouncing pucks, or nerves, the Griffins never looked comfortable handling the puck. Their normally crisp exits and surgical poke checks were replaced by:
● bobbled passes
● fanned clears
● rushed decisions
● turnovers leading to odd man rushes
Chicago thrives on chaos, and Grand Rapids handed them plenty.
Postava Deserved Better
Michal Postava was sensational - again. He stopped 30 of 32 shots, including:
● a 2 on 1 sequence where he robbed Gunler and then Neuchev seconds apart
● multiple scrambles in the crease
● a shorthanded breakaway
● several point blank slot chances
Neither goal against was one he saw cleanly. He gave his team every chance to win.
What Must Change for Game 2
To avoid falling into a 0-2 hole, the Griffins need:
● First line urgency - Shine Leonard and Dries must drive play
● Cleaner zone exits - reduce turnovers that fuel Wolves rushes
● More net front presence - Primeau saw too many clean looks
● Better discipline - Chicago fed off special teams momentum
● Puck support - shorten passes, simplify plays, regain rhythm
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