WOLVES ROAR PAST HOGS DESPITE LATE RALLY

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Cody Franson and Andreas Martinsen each struck late in the third period, but could not overcome six consecutive earlier goals that powered the Chicago Wolves to a 7-4 victory over the Rockford IceHogs at Allstate Arena Saturday night.

After the IceHogs gave up an early lead to the Wolves, Tyler Sikura and Anthony Louis each found twine before the end of the opening frame to give Rockford its only lead of the contest. Sikura wired a shot on goal that squeaked through the pads of Chicago’s Kasimir Kaskisuo at 16:21 of the first period, and Louis pounced on a rebound from a William Pelletier shot two minutes later.

Chicago then responded with a four-goal rampage in the second period, followed by two more in the final frame. Brett Sterling and Bryce Gervais each struck before the stanza was three minutes old, and Tyler Wong doubled the Wolves’ lead 1:32 later. Jake Bischoff posted another marker with 45 seconds to go in the period.

Mackenzie MacEachern and Teemu Pulkkinen then combined to stretch the Wolves’ lead to 7-2 within six minutes into the third period, but Franson and Martinsen added a double for the IceHogs to shrink the deficit to three during the final ten minutes of play. With his goal, Martinsen now has points in nine of his last 11 games.

Rockford suffered its second regulation loss in its last five outings, while Chicago added a 12th victory to its current home winning streak.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Feb. 7 | Rockford vs San Antonio Rampage (7 p.m.)
The IceHogs host the Rampage on a Fas Fuel Winning Weekday. Fans can enjoy discounted hot dogs, select beer, and companion tickets. If the Hogs win, tickets from Wednesday’s game can be redeemed for a ticket of equal or lesser value to the following Fas Fuel Winning Weekdays game on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.