Mitchell and Delia Deliver Big Moments in 4-3 Comeback Shootout Win over Wild

ROCKFORD, IL – Defenseman Ian Mitchell registered three primary assists to help the Rockford IceHogs (9-8-1-1) fight back and prevail 4-3 in the shootout over the Iowa Wild (9-8-1-1) at BMO Harris Bank Center Wednesday evening.

IceHogs Captain Garrett Mitchell opened the scoring 47 seconds into the contest with this third goal of the season, lifting a shot over the blocker of Wild netminder Dereck Baribeau (SOL, 30 saves on 33 shots) from the right-wing faceoff circle. The strike is the fastest IceHogs goal to start a game so far this season and goalie Collin Delia (W, 27 saves on 30 shots) picked up an assist. The Wild would respond at 13:41 when forward Nathan Sucese slipped behind the IceHogs defense and beat Delia under the blocker for his first goal of the season.

The Wild carried the momentum into the second period, tacking on two tallies in the first eight minutes of play to grab a 3-1 lead. Forward Nick Swaney buried his team-leading eighth goal of the season and sixth against the IceHogs at 1:17 and defenseman Turner Ottenbreit added his first goal of the campaign at 7:55. IceHogs forward D.J. Busdeker pulled the game back within one with 1:26 left in the period with his second goal of the season.

In the final period, the IceHogs caught the break they were hoping for as defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk’s shot banked off two members of the Wild defense and past Baribeau with 1:48 to play to tie the game and force overtime and eventually the shootout.

Forwards Andrei Altybarmakian and Alex Nylander buried goals for the IceHogs in the breakaway competition and Delia made key saves in the second and third round to complete the comeback effort.

Both clubs finished the game 0-for-2 on the power play

The Rockford IceHogs close their three-game road trip tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. CT against the Griffins in West Michigan.

Join the IceHogs for $2 Bud light Friday this Friday, Dec. 10 vs. Henderson at BMO Harris Bank Center! Enjoy $2 Bud Light cans through the second intermission! The first 1,000 fans (21 & over) grab an IceHogs Bud Light bucket hat! Buy Tickets

The IceHogs’ annual Teddy Bear Toss presented by Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall and Night of Giving benefiting local organizations is back on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. against the Henderson Silver Knights at BMO Harris Bank Center! Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used stuffed animals/toys to BMO Harris Bank Center and toss them onto the ice when the IceHogs score their first goal!