Chicago Wolves stranded by ground stop trying to get to Toronto playoff game

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Wolves were trying to get to Toronto for a playoff game, but the ground stop at O'Hare and Midway stranded the hockey team.

Sixteen players and their coaches made it out Tuesday night around midnight. But 10 other players and 2,500 lbs. of team equipment were hoping to get on a flight at 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Chicago Wolves PR Director Lindsey Willhite said some of them went home and got some sleep while they waited for the new flight. United Airlines kept the equipment locked up for the team.

Smoke at an FAA traffic control facility in Elgin forced air traffic controllers to relocate Tuesday afternoon, bringing planes to a halt at Chicago's airports.

The Wolves are scheduled to play in the Calder Cup Playoffs at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Toronto.