Rosemont, Ill.—The Chicago Wolves reeled off 3 goals in the opening 10 minutes to set the stage for a 7-1 Illinois Lottery Cup triumph over Rockford on Friday night at Allstate Arena.
Rosemont, Ill.—The Chicago Wolves reeled off 3 goals in the opening 10 minutes to set the stage for a 7-1 Illinois Lottery Cup triumph over Rockford on Friday night at Allstate Arena.
Rookie left wing Dmitrij Jaskin posted his first two-goal performance as a professional and added an assist while defenseman Taylor Chorney recorded two goals for the second time in his career. Right wings Ty Rattie and Shane Harper added power-play goals in the first period as the Wolves notched three power-play goals in a game for the first time since April 13, 2012.
“I happy we scored seven goals, but I am even more happy that we limited their chances,” said Wolves head coach John Anderson. “I hope we didn’t waste all our goals tonight with the rematch Saturday.”
The Wolves (10-8-0-2) opened the scoring just 3 minutes, 5 seconds into the game during 4-on-4 action. Chicago controlled the puck in the offensive zone for a long stretch until Chorney received a pass in the slot. He glided backward into the far circle, faked a defender into dropping to the ice and fired a shot between Rockford goaltender Kent Simpson’s legs for a goal. Corey Locke and Brent Regner earned assists.
Chicago pumped the lead to 2-0 on Rattie’s power-play goal at 7:41 of the first. Cade Fairchild, who posted 3 assists on the night, rifled a shot from the left point that Simpson deflected to Locke in the far circle. Locke couldn’t convert the rebound, but Rattie was in position on the other side of the crease and knocked the puck into the open net.
The Wolves needed just two minutes to deliver another power-play goal as Fairchild’s pass from the point to Rattie along the goal line set up a tic-tac-toe goal for Harper at 9:41 of the first. The 3-0 margin encouraged the IceHogs to replace Simpson with backup Mac Carruth.
Jaskin pushed the margin to 4-0 when his bullet from the near circle beat Carruth glove-side at 2:15 of the second period. Pat Cannone and Evan Oberg picked up assists. Chorney registered a power-play goal at 8:38 of the second period and Jaskin added his second goal 34 seconds into the third. Center Christian Hanson capped the team’s scoring when he re-directed Fairchild’s blast from the point to make it 7-0 at 13:34 of the third.
Wolves goalie Jake Allen (9-4-2) stopped 19 shots to earn the win. Simpson (3-6-0) took the loss for Rockford (11-11-1-0). He finished with 3 saves while Carruth registered 18 saves.
The Wolves and IceHogs resume their Illinois Lottery Cup rivalry at 7 p.m. Saturday in Rockford. The Wolves return home Saturday, Dec. 7, for a visit from Oklahoma City. For tickets, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit ChicagoWolves.com.
Rockford 0 0 1 — 1
Chicago 3 2 2 — 7
First Period—1, Chicago, Chorney 2 (Locke, Regner), 3:05; 2, Chicago, Rattie 6 (Locke, Fairchild), 7:41 pp; 3, Chicago, Harper 5 (Rattie, Fairchild), 9:41 pp.
Penalties—Edmundson, Chicago (elbowing major, game misconduct), 1:50; Shea, Rockford (roughing), 1:50; Morin, Rockford (unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:57; Peckham, Rockford (high-sticking and unsportsmanlike conduct), 9:28; Davies, Chicago (goaltender interference), 11:24; Chorney, Chicago (tripping), 16:44; Winchester, Rockford (elbowing), 19:53.
Second Period—4, Chicago, Jaskin 4 (Cannone, Oberg), 2:15; 5, Chicago, Chorney 3 (Davies, Jaskin), 8:38 pp. Penalties—Winchester, Rockford (holding the stick), 4:29; Shea, Rockford (roughing), 6:44; Dahlbeck, Rockford (cross-checking), 10:40; Andronov, Chicago (goaltender interference), 10:40; Brookbank, Rockford (cross-checking), 17:22; Peckham, Rockford (unsportsmanlike conduct misconduct), 17:22; Beach, Chicago (unsportsmanlike conduct misconduct), 17:22.
Third Period—6, Chicago, Jaskin 5 (Cannone, Davies), 0:34; 7, Chicago, Hanson 1 (Fairchild, Andronov), 13:34; 8, Rockford, T. Broadhurst 6 (Skinner, Mullane), 16:24 pp. Penalties—Porter, Chicago (hooking), 3:14; Brookbank, Rockford (cross-checking), 6:25; Andronov, Chicago (high-sticking double minor), 13:58.
Shots on goal—Rockford: 9-5-6–20; Chicago: 7-9-12–28. Power plays—Rockford 1-6; Chicago 3-8. Goalies—Rockford, Simpson (3-6), replaced by Carruth (18-22) at 9:41 of first; Chicago, Allen (19-20). A—7,554. Referees—Tim Mayer and Dave Lewis. Linesmen—Alex Stagnone and Aaron Mills.
