The Rockford IceHogs faced the Chicago Wolves, yet again, on Tuesday night. This time, they were back home at the BMO Harris Bank Center. In their third match-up against the Wolves, they were looking to get their first win. 

Here’s the lineup that the Icehogs rolled with:

L1: #78 Brad Morrison - #61 Chad Yetman - #57 Chris Wilkie

L2: #67 Matej Chalupa - #47 John Quenneville “A” - #84 Andrei Altybarmakyan

L3: #49 Mitchell Fossier - #26 Evan Barratt - #42 Gabriel Gagne

L4: #68 Riley McKay - #39 Dylan McLaughlin - #76 Tim Sōderlund

D1: #43 Chad Krys - #11 Cody Franson “A”

D2: #75 Alec Regula - #63 Michael Krutil 

D3: #41 Isaak Phillips - #62 Cole Moberg

#90 Matt Tomkins

#33 Scott Darling

On to the game. 

The IceHogs had a quick 2-game roadtrip with stops in Hoffman Estates (Chicago Wolves) and Iowa. On this Tuesday night, they were back at home at the BMO Harris Bank Center to kick off a nice little home-stand. They should have been eager to get it started the right way. But, they weren’t. 

One shot, One goal.

For the wolves. 

Wolves Goal #1: Anthony Richard - Tom Novak, Jeremy Davies 

That’s one you need Tomkins to have 1:21 into the game. Anthony Richard and Stelio Mattheos broke into the zone on a 2-on-1. Cole Moberg was the one defender back. He didn’t play it poorly, but Richard opted to take the shot from the right hash marks and beat Matt Tomkins cleanly over his glove. 

There were 3 penalties taken in the first period. All by Rockford. The IceHogs came into this game with the 9th best penalty kill in the league. I was shocked as well.

The IceHogs were feeling very generous on that terribly cold Tuesday night. Not only did Anthony Richard get his first goal of the season, he also picked up his first assist of the season in the same period. 

The assist? It came from Ryan Suzuki’s first professional goal. The IceHogs threw an extra man out on the ice on “accident” put the Wolves on the power play just so they could deliver this kind gift.

Wolves Goal #2: Ryan Suzuki (PP) - Anthony Richard, Stelio Mattheos

With the power play winding down, Richard picked up the rebound on the left side of the net and sent it blindly through the crease. His blind pass hit a wide open Ryan Suzuki in the perfect spot for a one timer into the back of the net. I don’t think they could have drawn up that play any better if they had tried. 

Or maybe it was a set play, but I doubt it.

END OF 1:

IceHogs - 0

Wolves - 2

SOG: 15-7 CHI

The IceHogs began the second period with a power play of their own. Stelio Mattheos went off for slashing :34 into the period. The Hogs couldn’t convert on it, but they did get some quality shots. Promising? Eh.  

The man whose name I’m tired of hearing - Stelio Mattheos - was sprung for a breakaway as soon as he came out of the box. Tomkins stops it. Phew. Mattheos seems to be all over the ice every time he takes a shift. Somehow, he only has 2 assists on the year, but I’m pretty sure they both came against the IceHogs. Of course. The Rockford GenerousHogs.

But, in a shocking twist of fate, the IceHogs had a pretty good start to the second period. They had a 9-1 shot advantage through the first 6 minutes. It was looking like, just maybe, they could outscore their opponent in the middle frame for once. No dice.

Wolves Goal #3: Philip Tomasino - David Cotton, Seth Jarvis

6:28 left to go. It was so close to being a good period for the IceHogs. Then enters Philip Tomasino. Because Philip Tomasino always enters the picture against Rockford when things are looking good just so he can crush our hopes and dreams. 

David Cotton and Philip Tomasino broke into the zone on a mini 2 on 1 that turned into a 2 on 2 with Cole Moberg back and a reaching Brad Morrison. Moberg made the decision to take Cotton - probably because last time he was the only defender back, the puck carrier took the shot. I can appreciate the thought process. 

Unfortunately, Cotton was able to get the puck over to Tomasino who was all alone with just Tomkins to beat, and beat him - he did. Tomkins tried to get over to his right, but Tomasino shot back over his glove. Tomkins had slid just too far. Watching it happen in real time, that’s a puck you really want Tomkins to save. But, watching it back, it was just an unfortunate play and a really good shot. 

This sucked. 

With 2:37 to go in the second, IceHogs finally got a full power play, instead of yet another 4v4, as Evan Barratt was tripped along the boards. Cole Moberg sent a laser of a one-timer to the net, but Beck Warm was able to make the stop. The shot was set up by a nice pass from Tim Sōderlund. Those are two guys I’m watching closely this season. 

END OF 2:

IceHogs - 0

Wolves - 3

SOG: 27-24 CHI

The beginning of the third period - down by 3. It wasn’t looking good for the IceHogs, and they didn’t seem all that inclined to turn the game in their favor. They weren’t making Beck Warm’s job difficult. The Hogs had a good number of shots, but there was no traffic in front of the net or second chances. Everything was one and done. 

And then things got a bit exciting. 

IceHogs Goal #1: Chris Wilkie - Brad Morrison, Cole Moberg

Chris Wilkie grabbed his second goal of the season to break the shutout. Brad Morrison cut to the middle of the ice from the left wing, got the puck to the net, and Wilkie had his stick in position to redirect the puck behind Warm. 

Finally.

Brad Morrison has played 2 games this season, and has 3 points - 2G 1A. I love to see it. 

Cole Moberg picked up his first professional point with the secondary assist. He had a very effective game, even though he was on the ice for the 2 odd man rush goals - unfortunately. 

And before I could even blink . . .

IceHogs Goal #2: Isaak Phillips - Chris Wilkie

Isaak Phillips picked up his first professional goal - which also gave the IceHogs the lead in total shots on goal - with an absolute beauty. He brought the puck into the zone, and decided to just do it all himself. Phillips took on 3 Wolves defenders and the goaltender, and he got the best of all of them. Beck Warm saved the initial shot, but Phillips followed it up and knocked in his own rebound. 

All of this happened 19 seconds after Chris Wilkie scored. 

Oh yeah, and Isaak Phillips is a defenseman. A 19 year old defenseman. He was a 5th round draft pick for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2020. I’d say that was a good pick. 

I have to include screenshots from this goal. It was an impressive effort by the kid. 

So, there were some good things that came in the third period, but it just wasn’t enough to tie up the game.

END OF 3:

IceHogs - 2

Wolves - 3

SOG: 39-35 Hogs

If you’ve been counting, the IceHogs are now 0-3-1. That isn’t ideal. All three of those regulation losses have come against the Chicago Wolves - which is even less ideal.

They’re back in action Thursday night against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Let’s hope for a better outcome.

Some, reluctant, positives from this one:

Matt Tomkins looked better.

Brad Morrison picking up another point for his 3rd in 2 games.

Isaak Phillips getting his first professional goal.

Michael Krutil signed an AHL contract after the game. He was on an ATO.

Cole Moberg looked good.