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POWER PLAY PLAGUES ICEHOGS IN LOSS TO WOLVES

Vs CHI Smith Polasek
IceHogs are just one for sixteen in the last three games on power play

Rockford, Ill.-
In eight power play opportunities on Saturday, the Rockford IceHogs were only able to capitalize on the final man advantage of the night, falling to the Chicago Wolves 4-1 at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

The lack of production on the power play is nothing new for the IceHogs this season. Dating back to the Oct. 16 tilt against Abbotsford, Rockford has converted just once in sixteen chances.

Philippe Paradis finally broke through for the IceHogs at 11:20 of the third period, sliding in front of goaltender Matt Climie and slapped the puck in. It was the only goal that Rockford scored against the Wolves in two straight games.

Chicago jumped out to an early 1-0 lead at 5:50 of the first period. With a lot of traffic in front of the IceHogs net, Yann Sauve fired a shot on goal that trickled by an unaware Alexander Salak. Victor Oreskovich and Jordan Schroeder were credited with the assists on the play.

The Wolves added to their lead in the middle frame when Bill Sweatt slipped in his first goal of the season. Mike Duco wristed the puck at Salak and Sweatt was on the doorstep to tip it in and make it 2-0 at 6:16.

Dustin Friesen gave Chicago a 3-0 lead at the 7:33 mark of the third period with a slapshot from the blue line that went past Salak.

Then, with just over two minutes remaining, Rockford put six attackers on the ice, but Duco tapped in an empty net goal to seal the game for the Wolves.

Despite only netting one goal, Rockford had 48 shots on goal, which ties their AHL record. The Hogs had 48 shots on goal in a 3-2 loss at Milwaukee back on March 11, 2009.

Climie earned his first win of the season, stopping 47 of the 48 IceHogs attempts. Salak was handed the loss, turning away 13 of 16 chances.

The IceHogs held Chicago off the board on all four of their power play opportunities.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Chicago Wolves. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs welcome the Chicago Wolves to the BMO Harris Bank Center for the second of 12 meetings. Fans can purchase a special family four pack for $49 that includes four tickets, four Culver’s concrete mixers and four tickets to the Discovery Center’s “Peanuts….Naturally” exhibit. The four pack can be purchased at the BMO Harris Bank Box Office, Discovery Center or at any Rockford area Culver’s locations.


For every goal that the Rockford IceHogs score in 2011-12, IceHogs head coach Ted Dent will make a donation to children’s cancer research. BMO Harris Bank will also make a donation for every goal to the “BMO Harris Bank Goals For Grades” initiative.