The Rockford IceHogs get the home portion of their schedule underway Saturday night at the BMO Center. Coming to pay Rockford the first of a dozen visits this season is their closest Central Division rival, the Chicago Wolves.
After earning a weekend split in San Jose last weekend, Rockford’s only action this weekend is the opening salvo with AHL-independent Chicago. The Wolves are playing without an NHL affiliate this season and feature a veteran-laden squad that has dropped their first two games. However, there is plenty of experience and talent on the Chicago roster.
How The Wolves Stack Up
Veteran goalie Keith Kincaid was returned to the Wolves from the NHL’s New Jersey Devils this week. Kincaid has been around the block; Chicago is his seventh different AHL stop. Last season, he spent time in Providence and Colorado. In 27 games, he sported a 2.92 goals against average and a .911 save percentage. Adam Scheel has been in net for the Wolves in both their previous games. Chicago dropped a 2-1 overtime loss to Milwaukee on Sunday, then lost 7-3 Texas on Wednesday at Allstate Arena.
Up front, Chicago has some veteran firepower, starting with longtime point-producer Chris Terry. Terry is coming off of a career-high of 78 points (27 G, 51 A) for Bridgeport last season. He’s joined by former Admirals forward Cole Schneider (25 G, 26 A last year) and returning Wolves forward Josh Melnick (16 G, 19 A).
Chicago has two experienced pros on PTOs right now. Rocco Grimaldi, who finished last season with Rockford, brings playmaking and goal scoring galore. More recently, the Wolves inked former Anaheim Ducks forward Maxime Comtios to a PTO.
Anchoring the blueline is the well-traveled Matt Donovan. Donovan adds Chicago to his previous AHL stops in Bridgeport, Rochester, and Milwaukee. He spent last season overseas.
Ready To Renew The Rivalry
The Wolves and IceHogs battle twelve times this season. They’ve also met several times in the Calder Cup playoffs, including in 2022, when Chicago swept Rockford in the first round. The IceHogs are kicking off their home slate; there’s no better way to do that than against their I-90 neighbors.
“Obviously, we’re really excited to get back to the BMO, playing in front of the fans of Rockford,” IceHogs forward Zach Jordan admitted at the team’s weekly media session. “It’s playing Chicago, there’s that rivalry there. We’re excited for it and ready to show them what’s going to happen this year.”
“It seems like they’re always intense games at one point or another during the season,” said Rockford head coach Anders Sorensen. “We play them twelve times; we know they’re a veteran team over there, some older guys with some experience. It should be a lot of fun playing them here right off the hop.”
Roster News
The IceHogs assigned defenseman Andrew Perrott to the ECHL’s Indy Fuel on Wednesday. Perrott did not see action in San Jose last weekend, but did skate in 13 games for Rockford last season.
Also on Wednesday, the IceHogs announced that forward Kale Howarth was placed in the AHL concussion protocol dating back to October 13. That was opening night for Rockford, when Howarth absorbed a big hit by San Jose forward Ozzy Wiesblatt and left the game early in the second period.
Sorensen’s Key For His Hogs
To come out of Saturday night with a win, Sorensen is looking for his team to play their game.
“When we play fast and with pace, when our exits are good and we’re getting back quick with numbers, we’re a really good hockey team,” he said. “That’s going to be the key for us, utilizing that, the way we’re built.”
The IceHogs and Wolves start this year’s series in the BMO Center at 7:00 p.m. CDT on Saturday.
