Sikura’s Two-Goal Effort Lifts IceHogs Past Wolves in OT

Rosemont, Il. – Tyler Sikura scored in overtime with 11.1 seconds remaining to send the Rockford IceHogs home with a 3-2 victory Saturday night at Allstate Arena. With the win, the IceHogs completed the weekend sweep over the Chicago Wolves.

IceHogs blueliner, Joni Tuulola, pounced on a loose puck in the slot during the extra frame and flipped a pass to Sikura, who was streaking through the neutral zone. Sikura fired a snap shot over the shoulder of Wolves goaltender, Garret Sparks, for his second tally of the game and season.

The Hogs looked to be in control in the closing minutes until Curtis McKenzie centered a puck through the slot that redirected off a sliding Dennis Gilbert and past IceHogs netminder, Matt Tomkins, to tie the contest at 2-2 and force overtime.

Sikura scored his first of the game 12:22 into the first period when his shot on goal bounced off of Sparks, hit a Wolves defender and carrabed into the open cage. The marker put the IceHogs on the board before their opponent for the fifth straight game.

Wolves rookie, Lucas Elvenes, evened things up just under three minutes later, though, to send the two clubs to their respective locker rooms deadlocked at one a piece.

After a scoreless second stanza, Philip Holm cashed in on a backhand feed from Aleksi Saarela 4:05 into the third period to put the Hogs up 2-1. Holm followed up a Rockford rush up ice and sent a wrister past Sparks from the left circle.

Tomkins made 31 saves on 33 shots to secure the win while Sparks finished with 36 saves on 39 attempts.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Oct. 30 vs. San Antonio Rampage | 7 p.m.
The IceHogs return to the BMO Harris Bank Center to host the San Antonio Rampage. Wednesday’s contest is a Dogs Days game, where fans are invited to bring their dog to the BMO for the evening's game. In addition, hot dogs will be available for just $2.