ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill.—The Chicago Wolves were defeated by the Rockford IceHogs 2-1 Wednesday night in preseason action at West Meadows Ice Arena.
Center Matt Caria scored the lone goal for Chicago, which outshot Rockford 31-22 in the contest.
Shane Owen started in net for the Wolves and stopped 13 of 14 shots before being replaced by Ben Meisner at 29:18. Meisner (0-1-0) kicked out 7 of 8 shots and was credited with the loss.
Rockford (1-0-0-0) opened the scoring 4:54 into the contest by converting a 5-on-3 opportunity. The IceHogs won a faceoff in the neutral zone and center Pat Mullane sprung right wing Jared Brown through the slot and Brown slipped a shot through Owen’s five-hole.
Chicago (0-1-0-0) knotted the score 1-1 when defensemen Colten Hayes’ shot from the far point was redirected by Caria and trickled past Rockford goaltender Mac Carruth at 12:18. Carruth (1-0-0) stopped 13 of 14 shots after spelling starter Kent Simpson at 29:18. Simpson stopped all 17 shots he faced.
The IceHogs grabbed the game-winner at 11:04 of the third period when center Matt Lowry found a loose puck in a scrum in front of the net and poked it home past Meisner.
The Wolves play their second of three preseason games when they host the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, at Franklin Park Ice Arena.
Rockford 1 0 1 — 2
Chicago 0 1 0 — 1
First Period—1, Rockford, Brown 1 (Mullane, Southorn), 4:54 pp. Penalties—Ponich, Chicago (interference), 3:23; Ehrhardt, Chicago (slashing), 4:13; Ponich, Chicago (delay of game), 10:02; Clark, Rockford (fighting, game misconduct), 12:50; Doty, Chicago (fighting), 12:50.
Second Period—2, Chicago, Caria 1 (Firman, Hayes), 12:18. Penalties—Gilbert, Rockford (hooking), 0:19; Llewellyn, Rockford (delay of game), 2:59; Firman, Chicago (hooking), 6:06; Shea, Rockford (fighting), 16:10; Hannay, Chicago (fighting), 16:10; Bidwill, Rockford (fighting), 17:42; Bodie, Rockford (fighting, charging), 17:42; Hayes, Chicago (roughing), 17:42; Ponich, Chicago (fighting), 17:42.
Third Period—3, Rockford, Lowry 1 (Broadhurst), 11:04. Penalties—Hannay, Chicago (interference), 5:17; Shea, Rockford (fighting), 11:04; Hannay, Chicago (fighting), 11:04.
Shots on goal—Rockford: 8-7-7–22. Chicago: 12-11-8–31. Power plays—Rockford: 1-5. Chicago: 0-3. Goalies—Rockford, Simpson (17-17), replaced by Carruth (13-14) at 29:18. Chicago, Owen (13-14), replaced by Meisner (7-8) at 29:18. A—N/A. Referee—Shaun Davis. Linesmen—Aaron Mills and Alex Stagnone.
