SIKURA POTS GAME-WINNER AS HOGS OUTLAST WILD

Rockford, Ill. -- Tyler Sikura buried a shorthanded, game-winning goal midway through the third period as the Rockford IceHogs treated 4,687 fans to a 7-4 victory over the Iowa Wild Saturday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Matthew Highmore also scored twice and Alexandre Fortin and Vinnie Hinostroza tallied two points apiece to help Rockford notch the victory in its 2017-18 home opener. In all, 11 different skaters earned at least one point for the IceHogs.

Highmore potted his goals just 33 seconds apart in the final minute of the first period to help the IceHogs overcome an early 1-0 deficit.

Iowa tied the game again seven minutes into the second period, but a blast from Erik Gustafsson put the Hogs ahead just two minutes later. After Iowa retook the lead with two goals before the end of the frame, Anthony Louis scored to tie the contest at four with just 56 seconds remaining in the period.

Sikura struck with his shorthanded tally with 10 minutes to go in the third period, and Matheson Iacopelli and Vinnie Hinostroza added empty-net goals late in the game to ice the victory.

Rockford’s J.F. Berube made 27 saves to earn his second win of the season, while Iowa’s Niklas Svedberg stopped 39 pucks in the Wild net.

Next Home Game: The Rockford IceHogs take on the Milwaukee Admirals on Sunday, Oct. 15 for First Responders Night/Touch-A-Truck. Kids in attendance will also receive a voucher for a free hot dog, soda and bag of Ole Salty’s chips. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.