PREVIEW - WRANGLERS VS. FIREBIRDS - GAME 5

It all comes down to this - Game 5.

The Wranglers are set for a winner-take-all clash tonight in California against the Coachella Valley Firebirds for an 8 p.m. MT puck drop.

AHL TV will carry the stream while Sportsnet 960 The FAN will host the radio broadcast.

Facing a must-win in Game 4 Wednesday night, all the Wranglers needed was one goal to force the fifth and deciding game in another tightly contested tilt.

Cole Schwindt scored the lone marker early in the second period, on the powerplay, with the Wranglers zipping it around when Dryden Hunt found Schwindt in the high slot who fired a wrister over the glove of Firebirds netminder Joey Daccord.

From there, it was the Dustin Wolf show.

"Our season was on the line," Mitch Love said. "There wasn't anything to save it for as a group. We wanted to spend another day or two together here. We've givern ourselves an opportunity. I was proud of the guys effort.

"Now we gotta get some rest and get ready to get back to work."

Wolf was outstanding, stopping all 27 shots to record his first shutout of the post-season, making several key saves to keep the series alive.

Since Game 2, each clash has been a battle which was expected headed in with both clubs being the best in the AHL.
And now, they'll do battle for one final time this season with a spot in the Western Conference Final on the line.

One step closer to the Calder Cup.

"We've talked about it for a couple weeks now, before the start of the series we knew it was going to be a tight one," Love said. "If you are a fan, this is probably what you would want.

"We're excited for the challenge in Game 5."

Player To Watch - Dryden Hunt

With an assist in Game 4, Hunt now has five points (2G, 3A) in eight playoff games. The winger leads the club with shots this post-season, entering tonight's clash with 30.

Acquired during the NHL Trade Deadline, Hunt racked up 15 points in 17 games with the Wranglers during the regular season.

Quotables

Mitch Love on Cole Schwindt's Game 4 performance

"This is great for him… our division's tough. It's tough hockey, it's physical, it's tight. You've got to battle through some things, and I was impressed with his game (on Wednesday). I thought he stepped up. We made some adjustments to our lines there and he really battled and dug in deep, and that was a big goal for us."

Dustin Wolf on headed into winner take all game

"Super excited. Down 2-1, we wanted to come in and give a good effort. Now we're tied up 2-2 and now the fun begins."

Cole Schwindt on the mindset heading into Game 5:

"We've had time to pre scout each other. They know how we're going to play, we know how they are going to play. Its about who adapts quicker. Its fun to be out there, looking forward to it."