Colorado rallies past Chicago, moves one win from Calder Cup Finals
Colorado erased a 2-0 hole and hung seven on Chicago, taking Game 5 7-3 and moving one win from the franchise’s first Calder Cup Finals.
Colorado turned a two-goal deficit into a night that could reshape its postseason history, ripping past Chicago 7-3 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to take a 3-2 series lead and move within one victory of the franchise’s first Calder Cup Finals berth.
The Eagles were down 2-0 early in the first period, but Tristen Nielsen ignited the turnaround with the first two goals of the rally. His work steadied Colorado and flipped the pressure onto Chicago, and once the Eagles found their rhythm, the game changed fast.
Colorado buried the Wolves with three goals in a span of 2:58 early in the second period. Matt DiMarsico scored, Taylor Makar added a shorthanded goal, and Chase Bradley finished the surge as the Eagles seized control for good. Nielsen’s two goals were the headline, but the burst around him showed why Colorado has been one of the most dangerous teams in the field: when the opening appears, it does not wait long to break the game open.
T.J. Tynan and T.J. Hughes each picked up two assists, giving Colorado the secondary production that has helped carry it through the playoffs. Trent Miner stopped 26 shots and improved to 11-4 in the postseason, while Chicago goalie Cayden Primeau made 20 saves. The Wolves still got goals from Skyler Brind’Amour, Justin Robidas and Bradly Nadeau, who briefly put Chicago back in front after Nielsen’s tying strike, but Colorado kept answering until the gap became overwhelming.
The seven goals matched the most ever allowed by Chicago in a Calder Cup Playoff game, a mark that underscores how thoroughly Colorado imposed itself once the rally started. It was also the Eagles’ fifth comeback win of the playoffs, a telling number for a team that has made adversity part of its identity during this run.
The series now shifts back to Loveland for Game 6 on Sunday, where Colorado can finish the job on home ice. If the Eagles close it out, Friday night’s comeback will stand as more than a lopsided win; it will be remembered as the night Colorado put itself on the doorstep of a first trip to the Calder Cup Finals.
This article was produced by Prism’s automated news system from verified source data, official records, and press releases, then run through automated quality and moderation checks before publishing. The system is built and supervised by the people who set the standards it runs under. Read our full AI policy.
Know something we missed? Have a correction or additional information?
Submit a Tip
