The Rockford IceHogs were in position to kick off their home opener in style. Unfortunately, late penalties allowed the Chicago Wolves to break open a close game in the final minutes. The IceHogs overcame a slow start on Saturday night, but fell 5-2 to Chicago in front of a full house at the BMO Center.
The Wolves picked up their first win of the 2023-24 season, besting Rockford in the first of twelve meetings between the two teams. The IceHogs fall to 1-2 on the young season.
“I thought we did more good than bad today,” Rockford coach Anders Sorensen said to the media following the contest. “I thought we did a lot of good things and (there were) a couple of things we’ve got to clean up. That’s a good team on the other side. On the power play, you don’t want to put those guys in those situations, four-on-three, five-on-four. Unfortunately, that’s what hurt us.”
Chicago jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage on an unassisted goal by Rocco Grimaldi. The former IceHogs forward pounced on a Hogs turnover, then sent a backhand shot past Rockford goalie Drew Commesso 23 seconds into the game.
“We just had a hard time with our retrievals there, got stuck a couple of times, they forechecked well then we’re down one-nothing,” said Sorensen. “I thought we turned it around and played much better the second half of the first period.”
The IceHogs would fall behind 2-0 5:03 into the second period on Cavan Fitzgerald’s first goal of the season, then began the process of getting back into the contest. Issak Phillips made it 2-1 Chicago at 12:43 of the middle frame. Phillip’s first of the season came on a long point shot that found its way past Wolves goalie Adam Scheel and into the top-right corner of the net.
Rockford pulled even via the power play moments into the third period. Joey Anderson was open in the slot; Brett Seney got the puck in position and Anderson found the net at the 1:52 mark. The momentum was on the side of the IceHogs, but a missed opportunity on the man advantage proved costly.
Rookie Annti Saarela was boarded by Chicago’s Austin Strand midway though the third. The IceHogs could not convert, losing the power play on a Filip Roos hooking minor. Cory Conacher was the next man into the box for tripping. However, Ethan Del Mastro was called for interference shortly thereafter.
On the subsequent 4-on-3 power play, Chris Terry centered to Cole Schneider, who was parked in front of the net. Schnieder’s tap in was on the mark and gave the Wovles a 3-2 lead with 4:14 remaining in the game. Less than ninety seconds later, Dominic Franco made it 4-2 with another net front goal. Terry added an empty-net goal in the closing seconds to finish the scoring.
Grimaldi was voted the game’s First Star, with a goal and two helpers against Rockford. The IceHogs were out shot 30-25 on the night. This included a 12-4 advantage for Chicago in the final period. The Wolves return to Allstate Arena Sunday for an afternoon game with Texas. The IceHogs have six days to stew about the loss before hosting Iowa at the BMO Center Friday night.
