The Chicago Wolves opened the home portion of the 2026-27 American Hockey League season by falling to the Manitoba Moose 6-1 on Saturday night at Allstate Arena.
Chase Wheatcroft scored for the Wolves, but when the dust settled Chicago had dropped its third game in a row—all to the Central Division-rival Moose.
“I thought our forecheck was great and I think they got some bounces at the end of the day that made it seem like it was a bigger score than it was,” Wheatcroft said. “We play a lot of games and you have to have a short memory. If it’s good or bad, you just have to move on and get ready for the next one.”
Manitoba held a 3-0 advantage after one period on even-strength markers from Noah Gregor and Jacob Julien and a power-play tally from Kevin He.
That score held until 13 minutes, 47 seconds into the second period when Wheatcroft notched his first goal of the season to pull the Wolves to within 3-1.
The forward took a pass from Stiven Sardarian at the left dot, skated toward the Manitoba crease and sent shot between the pads of Moose netminder Thomas Milic. The score was assisted by Sardarian and Gabriel Seger and left the Wolves trailing by two headed into the third period.
“It was a really good play by my linemates,” Wheatcroft said. “They slid it over to me and I was just trying to get one on net for them because I know they were crashing hard. I was lucky enough for it to go in.”
Parker Ford’s shorthanded goal early in the third reinstated Manitoba’s three-goal lead and a short time later it was 5-1 after Nikita Chibrikov found the back of the net while on the power play.
Chase Yoder capped the scoring for the Moose in the waning moments.
Cayden Primeau (27 saves) took the loss in goal for the Wolves while Milic (21 saves) earned the win for the Moose.
Chicago dropped to 0-3-0-0 on the season while Manitoba stands at 3-1-0-0.
Up next: The Wolves travel to Grand Rapids to face the Griffins on Sunday (3 p.m.).
For information on Wolves tickets for the 2026-27 American Hockey League season, visit chicagowolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.
