The Chicago Wolves and the Rockford IceHogs are ready to battle for the Illinois Lottery Cup during the 2017-18 season.
For the seventh consecutive year, the Illinois Lottery is raising the stakes between the state’s American Hockey League franchises. The team that earns the most wins during 
Chicago’s and Rockford’s 12 meetings this season will be presented with the Illinois Lottery Cup.
“There’s always a heightened level of anticipation in the building when the Chicago Wolves and the Rockford IceHogs meet,” said Wolves president Mike Gordon. “The Illinois Lottery Cup increases the excitement and we can’t wait to resume this rivalry.”
This season’s Illinois Lottery Cup competition kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 19, at Rockford. The Wolves host their first Illinois Lottery Cup contest on Saturday, Nov. 25.
“We are thrilled to continue the Illinois Lottery Cup and our partnership with the Illinois Lottery,” said Rockford director of business operations Mike Peck. “The rivalry between the Rockford IceHogs and the Chicago Wolves has developed into something special over the past 10 years in the American Hockey League and we look forward to another exciting season.”
The Wolves own possession of the Cup after handling the IceHogs eight out of 12 times during the 2016-17 season, but history suggests this year’s competition likely won’t be decided until the teams’ final regular-season meetings on April 13 at BMO Harris Center in Rockford and April 14 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
Since the Illinois Lottery Cup tradition began in 2011, the Wolves and IceHogs have split their 72 regular-season meetings while Chicago has outscored Rockford 211-197 in those contests. The Wolves captured the Illinois Lottery Cup title in 2015 and 2017 while Rockford earned the hardware in 2013, 2014 and 2016. In 2012, the Peoria Rivermen claimed the inaugural competition when there were three AHL teams in Illinois.
To purchase tickets for any Illinois Lottery Cup game, visit ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.
