Wolves drop shootout to Rockford

The Chicago Wolves erased a second-period deficit, but fell in a shootout 2-1 to the Rockford IceHogs in Illinois Lottery Cup action on Wednesday night at the MetroCentre.

Center Gage Quinney scored his third short-handed goal of the season for Chicago (37-19-5-3) and netminder Oscar Dansk (20-9-4) recorded 28 saves. The Wolves improved their Central Division lead to 2 points over the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Victor Ejdsell scored in regulation for Rockford (31-24-4-6) while goaltender Collin Delia (10-6-4) stopped 32 shots. The shootout win puts Rockford ahead 6-5 in the Illinois Lottery Cup standings with just one game remaining in the series. If the Wolves win on March 31 at Rockford, then they will claim the Cup for the third year in a row.

After a scoreless first period, Ejdsell scored at the 3:56 of the second. Forward Alexandre Fortin shot from the right side, but the puck deflected off defenseman Jake Bischoff’s leg, off Ejdsell’s stick and past Dansk.

Quinney evened up the game late in the second at the 18:19 mark on the penalty kill. Forward Curtis McKenzie blocked a Rockford shot near the top of the circles and Quinney was able to pop the loose puck past the defense. Quinney won the foot race to the puck and beat Delia’s glove to knot the game 1-1.

The Wolves outshot Rockford 13-7 in the final period, but the IceHogs held on to force overtime and the shootout session, where former Wolves center Jordan Schroeder was the lone scorer in the three-round shootout.

The Wolves continue their five-game road trip on Friday at Texas. Chicago returns to Allstate Arena on Saturday, March 30, for Salute to Military Families Night.