Rockford, IL- The Rockford IceHogs (8-9-1-1) return to the BMO Center to host the Chicago Wolves (7-6-3-0) tonight for a 7 p.m. puck drop. The IceHogs will host the Wolves for the first time this season and have won two of the first three meetings with their in-state rival. 

The Matchup:

2025-26 Season Series: 2-1-0-0 

Tale of the Tape: The IceHogs will host the Wolves for the first time this season after taking two of the first three meetings held in Rosemont. Rockford used a four-goal opening period to secure a 6-1 win over Chicago the last time the two teams met back on Oct. 28. The top line of Brett Seney, Nick Lardis, and Oliver Moore combined for eight points in the opening period. The Wolves enter the BMO Center on a three game skid after being swept in Manitoba last weekend. Chicago is led by Felix Unger Sörum who has tallied 15 points (6g, 9a) through 16 games. The Hurricanes' 2023 2nd round pick has two goals and an assist in three games against Rockford this season. Amir Miftakhov has led the way in a busy goalie room for the Wolves, having played in seven games this season. Chicago has had five different goalies between the pipes in 16 games this season. The Wolves trail Rockford in the standings by one point heading into tonight's contest. 

Three Things to Know:

Lardis Returns: IceHogs rookie Nick Lardis inserted back into the lineup last weekend in Texas after missing two games. The 20-year-old forward immediately made an impact Friday night, scoring two power play goals in Rockford's 4-3 overtime win. Lardis had both Rockford goals Saturday night where they fell 5-2. The 2023 3rd round selection leads all rookies with nine goals and sits 2nd in points among rookies. The Oakville, ON native leads the IceHogs with four power play goals and only trails Seney by two points in team scoring.

Toninato Climbs IceHogs Leaderboard: Nine-year veteran Dominic Toninato collected three points over the weekend in Texas, climbing into third place on the IceHogs' point leaderboard. Toninato is coming off of a career-high 36 point performance last season with the Manitoba Moose posting 18 goals and 18 assists. The Duluth, MN native has two goals against Chicago this season including an overtime winning goal on Oct. 18. The Rockford forward has posted three multi-point games through the first 19 games to begin the year. 

Quarter Mark: The IceHogs have hit the quarter mark of the 2025-26 season after their two-game series in Texas. Rockford is tied with three other teams (ROC,BEL, CGY) for most games played with 19. Tonight's contest comes toward the tail end of a 14-game month of November for the IceHogs. The IceHogs have spent the majority of the first part of the season on the road, having played only eight games on home ice. Rockford will have a chance to reverse their luck at home tonight as they have posted a 2-5-1 record to start their home schedule. 

Heard It Here First: 

Taige Harding on his physicality: 

In Juniors it was a big part of my game but it's been five years. It's been really good to learn from those guys [Connor Mylymok, Dillon Boucher] they've done a lot in their career and are really good at it. Our whole team can stand up for each other, that's part of our identity. 

2025:26 Matchups:

The Hogs are back on home ice on tonight at 7:00 p.m. It's a "Wet Your Whistle Wednesday" with tickets available at icehogs.com.