Three-Goal Third Period Pushes IceHogs Past Wolves

Rosemont, Ill. – Lucas Carlsson, Matthew Highmore and Tyler Sikura all tallied in the third period, and Matt Tomkins made 18 stops to help the Rockford IceHogs secure a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena on Sunday.

With the game deadlocked at 1-1 midway through the final frame, Brandon Hagel delivered a pass to a streaking Lucas Carlsson, who then toe-dragged a defender and ripped a snap shot over the shoulder of Wolves goaltender, Garret Sparks, for a highlight-reel goal.

The contest would remain at 2-1 until Highmore and Sikura buried back-to-back empty-net markers in the closing minutes of regulation to seal the win and give Rockford its fifth win in its last six outings. Highmore’s goal was the 30^th of his AHL career while Sikura’s tied the Hogs for the league lead in shorthanded goals with five.

Dylan Coghlan originally opened up scoring 18:21 into the first period when he blasted a one-timer through a sliding Tomkins to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead. Late in the second period, however, Anton Wedin redirected Philip Holm’s saucer pass in the slot to knot the game at one apiece.

Sparks finished with 34 saves on 36 shots, but it wasn’t enough as the IceHogs defeated the Wolves for the fourth straight time this season to tie the club’s franchise record for longest winning streak against the cross-state rival.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Nov. 16 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins | 6 p.m.The Rockford IceHogs host their annual Military Appreciation Night Saturday, Nov. 16 against Grand Rapids. Active and former military members will receive a free ticket for this contest. In addition, the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a free pair of camo IceHogs socks, courtesy of Rose Pest Solutions.