Game Preview: IceHogs Host Wolves For Friday Night Battle
Rockford, IL- The Rockford IceHogs (20-32-3-2) return to the BMO Center to host the Chicago Wolves (28-14-6-6) for a 7 p.m. puck drop. This is the final matchup between the two instate rivals in Rockford this season. The IceHogs return for a three game homestand after playing four consecutive road matchups.
The Matchup:
All Time Series: 100-87-13-6
Season Series: 3-6-0-0
Tale of the Tape: The Hogs return to the BMO Center after going 1-2-1 on their four-game road trip against Grand Rapids, San Diego and Milwaukee. The Wolves come to Rockford as the 2nd seed in the Central division but have dropped their previous three games after taking a 4-2 loss against the Iowa Wild Wednesday night. Chicago brings a 13-6-4-3 road record to tonight's contest, winning their last road contest on March. 3 over Milwaukee.
Team Leaders:
Chicago:
Points- Justin Robidas- 52 points
Goals- Bradly Nadeau- 25G
Assists- Felix Unger Sorum- 37A
Rockford:
Points- Brett Seney- 42 points
Goals- Rem Pitlick- 16G
Assists- Brett Seney- 30A
Three Things to Know:
Lighting Up the Scoreboard: The IceHogs will take on the Wolves for the tenth time this season and the two rivals have been involved in a handful of high-scoring shootouts throughout the season series. The Hogs have tallied six goals twice against the Wolves this season on Oct. 28 and Jan. 18, both resulting in victories. Rockford has scored at least three goals in five of the first nine meetings in the series. Rem Pitlick leads Rockford with four goals in five games against Chicago this season. Defenseman Kevin Korchinski has racked up eight points in eight games against the instate rival.
Lombardi Lights the Lamp: Forward Kevin Lombardi picked up the lone Rockford goal Wednesday night in Milwaukee for his ninth goal of the season. Lombardi established himself as regular in the IceHogs’ lineup this season has picked up 17 points (9G, 8A) in 30 games. The Schwenksville, PA native has four power play goals which trails only Nick Lardis and Rem Pitlick for Rockford this season. Lombardi snagged 18 points (9G, 9A) in 15 games with the Indy Fuel before joining the IceHogs.
Playoff Picture: The IceHogs find themselves on the outside looking in of the AHL playoff picture in the Central Division standings. After picking up a point in an overtime loss to Milwaukee, the IceHogs are eight points behind the Admirals for the fifth and final playoff spot with 15 games remaining. Rockford is currently tied with the Iowa Wild, both sitting with 45 points, and will take on the Wild six more times in the final month of the season. The Admirals face on the league-leading Grand Rapids Griffins in Van Andel Arena for a two game series this weekend.
2025-26 Matchups:
| Oct.18 | @ | Chi | W 3-2 OT |
| Oct.19 | @ | Chi | L 5-6 |
| Oct. 28 | @ | Chi | W 6-1 |
| Nov. 26 | vs. | Chi | L 4-8 |
| Dec. 31 | vs. | Chi | L 2-3 |
| Jan. 9 | vs. | Chi | L 1-3 |
| Jan. 17 | @ | Chi | L 2-5 |
| Jan.18 | vs. | Chi | W 6-5 SO |
| Jan. 24 | vs. | Chi | L 1-4 |
| Mar. 13 | vs. | Chi | 7 p.m. |
| Mar. 21 | @ | Chi | 7 p.m. |
| Apr. 12 | @ | Chi | 3 p.m. |