Tale of the Tape: Dec. 22, 2017 vs. Rockford

• 1: The first four games of the Illinois Lottery Cup have been decided by one goal and three of the four contests have ended with a 4-3 score. The Rockford IceHogs collected their two 4-3 victories in extra time. On Nov. 19, Vinnie Hinostroza’s shootout goal was the game-winner — David Kampf also scored for Rockford in the shootout — and on Dec. 1, Hinostroza ended the 3-on-3 five-minute bonus frame in just 37 seconds for a win. The Wolves weathered a third-period onslaught to snag their first victory on Nov. 25 and then earned a 2-1 victory on Dec 12 when Paul Thompson scored in the final two seconds

• 3: Chicago Wolves captain Paul Thompson has a three-game point streak and has scored points in five of the last six games. The 29-year-old has stepped up when the team needs him most and proves day-in and day-out why he was christened with the “C” on his left shoulder. Thompson’s most recent highlight was a second-period game-tying goal against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Thursday as part of five consecutive markers the Wolves netted en route to a 5-4 victory.

• 8: Though the Chicago Wolves’ last five games, forward T.J. Tynan owns four goals and four assists for eight points. When the Wolves began rolling on their now six-game win streak, Tynan soon followed as he picked up assists in back-to-back games and then collected his first three-goal performance on Dec. 16 against the Iowa Wild at Allstate Arena. Appearing in all 29 games this season for Chicago, Tynan owns 19 points (6G, 13A) and is almost halfway to earning his fourth consecutive 40-plus point season.

• 9: The Chicago Wolves roster includes nine players with double-digit point totals. Teemu Pulkkinen leads the team with 25 points (9G, 16A) through 29 games and Brandon Pirri is four points behind with eight goals and 13 assists. T.J. Tynan (6-13–19), captain Paul Thompson (10- 8–18), Beau Bennett (4-14–18), Jason Garrison (4-10–14), Tomas Hyka (6-7–13) and Wade Megan (4-7–11) are the other seven. Brett Sterling is on the cusp with nine points — eight of which are goals.

• 54: During his career, veteran Brett Sterling has faced the Rockford IceHogs 54 times in regular-season action. Sterling boasts 19 goals and 28 assists for 47 points with a +7 plus/minus rating. This season, the 33-year-old has netted two of his seven goals against the IceHogs. While Sterling has only appeared in 15 of the Wolves’ 29 games, he has made the most of his ice time whether it’s scoring or going to tough places to play — in front of the net and the corners.

• 99: When the Chicago Wolves pushed their winning streak to six games with Thursday’s 5-4 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins, the club also positioned itself for the chance to secure franchise regular-season win No. 1,000. Over the course of 23-plus seasons, the Wolves have achieved some major accomplishments: a single-season high of 55 wins (1997-98), 16 40-plus win seasons, nine 100-plus point seasons and 18 playoff berths which have resulted in four league championships.

Game Rewind

• Chicago rattled off three consecutive third-period goals en route to victory over Iowa.
• Forward T.J. Tynan netted his first career hat trick that included two short-handed tallies.
• Forward Tomas Hyka registered his fifth point (3G, 2A) in two games with a goal, center Wade Megan collected three points (G, 2A) and Teemu Pulkkinen ended a goal drought at six games.
• Goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo made 15 saves for the victory.