SPECIAL TEAMS THE DIFFERENCE IN 2-1 ROCKFORD WIN

Hogs top Wolves for second time this weekend

Rosemont, Ill.- Tight contests have been the norm between the Rockford IceHogs and Chicago Wolves this season and Sunday's game was no different. Rockford held on for a 2-1 victory over the Wolves at the Allstate Arena in an Illinois Lottery Cup matchup.

Rockford won the special teams battle going 2-7 on the power play while holding the Wolves off the board on five advantages, including three in the final period. The last seven games between these Midwest Division rivals have been decided by just one goal.

Rockford dominated the first period on Sunday, outshooting Chicago 16-1, but didn't tally until the final second of the frame. On their fourth power play of the opening stanza, Martin St. Pierre one-timed a cross-ice centering feed from Jeremy Morin and banked his 20th tally of the season off of the left pad of Matt Climie and in at 19:59.

The Wolves quickly spun the momentum in their favor in the second period and tied the contest 1-1, 8:01 into the frame. Kevin Connauton blasted a Jeremy Price through traffic and past Henrik Karlsson for his sixth goal of the season.

Another power play goal put Rockford back on top later in the second. Morin picked up a Ben Smith rebound and snuck in his team-leading 25th goal of the season at 14:26 of the middle frame.

That was all the scoring as Karlsson turned away 19 Chicago shots to earn the win while Climie was saddled with the loss after blocking 28 Rockford attempts.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, March 27 vs. Toronto Marlies. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Dollar Days return when the Marlies make their lone visit to the Forest City in 2012-13. Fans can take advantage of $1 beers, hot dogs, soft drinks and companion tickets.