ROSEMONT, Ill. – Building on their victorious rally Friday night at Rockford, the Chicago Wolves produced a pair of power-play goals and knocked off the IceHogs 2-1 Saturday night in an Illinois Lottery Cup game at Allstate Arena.
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Building on their victorious rally Friday night at Rockford, the Chicago Wolves produced a pair of power-play goals and knocked off the IceHogs 2-1 Saturday night in an Illinois Lottery Cup game at Allstate Arena.
Right wings Ty Rattie and Shane Harper scored the goals for the Wolves (13-6-3-0) as they pulled within 3 points of Rockford for first in the Midwest Division.
Goaltender Matt Climie stopped 27 shots to earn his 62nd win in a Chicago uniform and pass Kari Lehtonen for second place on the franchise’s all-time win list.
“I thought we came out right from the start (Friday) and we played a pretty strong game and we continued on tonight,” said Wolves head coach John Anderson. “It was really satisfying to see guys listening and taking pride in what we’re doing.”
For the second night in a row against Rockford, Rattie delivered the game’s first goal. The Wolves opened the second period with a fresh power play and defenseman Brent Regner saucered a pass from the point to the top of the left circle for Rattie, who blasted a one-timer through traffic at 0:50 for his American Hockey League-leading 13th goal of the year. Regner and Pat Cannone picked up assists.
Chicago’s power play pushed the lead to 2-0 at 5:06 of the third period as Harper set up just outside the crease and re-directed Brent Sopel’s wrister from the top of the left circle. Jake Chelios also earned an assist on the play.
Rockford (15-5-1-1) finally solved Climie with 4:00 remaining as defenseman Ville Pokka’s slap shot from the top of the left circle threaded through traffic on the power play and cut the Wolves’ lead to 2-1.
Climie (7-4-2) slammed the door from there to pick up his second win in as many nights. Rockford goaltender Michael Leighton (5-3-1) posted 39 saves in the loss.
The Wolves embark on a four-game road trip before hosting the Adirondack Flames at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, for the team’s first School-Day Game of the season. To get the best ticket deals such as the Howliday Pack that includes a knit hat, scarf and commemorative puck, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit ChicagoWolves.com.
WOLVES 2, ICEHOGS 1
Rockford 0 0 1 — 1
Chicago 0 1 1 — 2
First Period—None. Penalties—Veilleux, Chicago (hooking), 2:30; Bass, Rockford (tripping), 10:43; Mashinter, Rockford (unsportsmanlike conduct), 20:00.
Second Period—1, Chicago, Rattie 13 (Regner, Cannone), 0:50 pp. Penalties—McCarthy, Chicago (holding), 12:22; Broadhurst, Chicago (interference), 18:39.
Third Period—2, Chicago, Harper 7 (Sopel, Chelios), 5:06 pp; 3, Rockford, Polka 5 (Brennan, Teravainen), 16:00. Penalties—Bass, Rockford (holding), 4:08; Jaskin, Chicago (cross-checking), 5:13; Hartman, Rockford (holding), 5:13; Hartman, Rockford (holding, roughing), 8:02; Jaskin, Chicago (diving), 8:02; Regner, Chicago (interference, unsportsmanlike conduct on bench), 15:01.
Shots on goal—Rockford 5-14-9—28; Chicago 15-12-14—41. Power plays—Rockford 1-5; Chicago 2-4. Goalies—Rockford, Leighton (39-41); Chicago, Climie (27-28). A—8,405. Referee—Trevor Hanson. Linesmen—Dan Dineen and Jim Scarpace.
