IceHogs Fall in “Rock’em Sock’em” Preseason Finale to Wild 2-1 Shootout Win

With 70 combined penalty minutes in tonight’s preseason finale at the Xtreme Arena, the IceHogs and Wild ended the physical game with a shootout 2-1 Wild victory after the IceHogs couldn’t take the lead in overtime on Thursday night in Coralville, Iowa. The IceHogs close the preseason with a 0-0-1-1 record.

The game remained scoreless in the first and second periods from the heroics of Wild goal tender Zane McIntyre and IceHogs goalie Jaxon Stauber. McIntyre showcased his moves with a fully-outstretched Superman dive to save an IceHogs goal. Stauber ended his night after a period and a half with 14 saves on all 14 shots taken.

Spicing things up in the second stanza, IceHogs Captain Garrett Mitchell didn’t even take off his gloves to deliver haymakers to Wild Center Tanner Kaspick at the start of a faceoff. Not long after Mitchell served time in the penalty box, IceHogs Forward Riley McKay dropped the gloves to dance with Wild defenseman Brenden Miller for the second fight of the night.

Making his Rockford IceHogs debut at the 10-minute mark in the second period, goalie Dylan Wells stepped in for Stauber. Wells totaled 15 saves including a shot off the mask and a 2-on-1 skirmish at the net. Nearly demonstrating a perfect night on the penalty kill, the IceHogs only allowed one score on the Wild’s 1-for-10 power-play efforts.

The Wild carried the momentum into the third session on its 7^th powerplay of the game and put a talley on the board with a quick shot from Ty Ronning with 9:37 left to play in regulation. IceHogs Forward Michal Teply fires back from the left circle at 6:30 to tie the Wild at 1-1. After a no-scoring overtime period, the clubs battled in a shootout. Forward Josiah Slavin had the first attempt for the IceHogs but was denied by McIntyre. Wild Forwards Vladislov Firstov and Nick Swaney found the back of the net after Ronning was blocked by Wells to end the night 2-1 for the Wild.

Join the IceHogs’ Opening Act with Hard Rock Casino-Rockford on Oct. 22!
The IceHogs celebrate Opening Night at the BMO on Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Chicago Wolves at 7 p.m. Start the celebration with the IceHogs and the Hard Rock Casino – Rockford for The IceHogs Opening Act with a block party from 4:30-6:30 p.m. outside the BMO featuring Rockford band, Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts.

Buy Opening Night & Opening Act Tickets Here!

The IceHogs and Hard Rock Casino – Rockford are also teaming up on an exclusive Hard Rock Hammy t-shirt giveaway. Fans attending the block party will have the first chance to get a shirt with the remaining shirts available to fans upon entry to the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Food trucks from Olivo Tacos, 15^th and Chris, TNT Funnel Cakes, Inzombia coffee and more will fuel fans for the Opening Act and fans can participate in exciting pregame events like axe throwing, street hockey provided by the Chicago Blackhawks, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, bags/cornhole and more! The block party will take place at the intersection of Elm and Main St., outside of the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.

The Rockford IceHogs open their 16th American Hockey League season and 24th in the Stateline on Saturday, Oct. 15 against the Manitoba Moose at 2 p.m. CT at Canada Life Centre and wrap up their season-opening weekend on Sunday, Oct. 16 against the Moose at 2 p.m. Listen and watch every game this season on the IceHogs Broadcast Network presented by BMO Harris Bank! Listen and watch every game from your favorite device on AHLTV, at home, or on the road at IceHogs.com and on the IceHogs app!

Be Close to the FUN with an IceHogs Group Ticket Package!
Group ticket packages are on sale now! Experience the excitement of IceHogs hockey with a group of 10 or more family and friends! From skating on the ice before the game, watching pregame warmups from the bench, performing during the game or high-fiving the IceHogs as they take the ice, an IceHogs Group Ticket Package brings you closer to the FUN! Reserve your group experience all season at IceHogs.com!

Season Ticket Memberships for 2022-23 are on Sale Now!
Don’t miss a moment of the action next season! Reserve your seats for the IceHogs’ 16th season as the top AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. Celebrate Opening Night on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at BMO Harris Bank Center against the Chicago Wolves! Contact us at (815) 847-6399, at icehogs@blackhawks.com, or visit IceHogs.com to claim your seats for this upcoming season.