Wolves fall to IceHogs 5-2
Daily Herald news services
ROCKFORD - Chicago fell behind early and couldn't recover in falling to Rockford, 5-2, in an Illinois Lottery Cup game held Tuesday at the MetroCentre.
Chicago (16-16-1-2) scored twice on the power play on goals from centers Jeremy Welsh and Ivan Barbashev.
Rockford (22-9-2-3) opened scoring on an even-strength goal from Garret Ross at 5:17 of the first period. Ross skated in between the circles and slung a low shot that sneaked inside the left post. The IceHogs struck again at 8:41 on the power play when defensemen Viktor Svedberg ripped a slap shot from the top of the slot for his first goal of the season.
The Wolves cut the deficit in half before the period ended. Working with a man-advantage, Andre Benoit launched a shot on goal that was directed in front by Welsh. Danny Kristo also picked up an assist on the play.
Rockford reclaimed a two-goal cushion midway through the second period as Pierre-Cededric Labrie skated in alone on goaltender Phoenix Copley and placed a shot between his pads at the 10:33 mark. The Wolves crept closer when Barbashev redirected a shot on the doorstep just 2:56 into the third period.
The Central Division-leading Ice Hogs scored twice in the final minutes to seal the win. Ross tallied his second goal of the night on an empty net at 18:46 and Tanner Kero stuffed in a shot at 19:21.
Copley (8-10-1) finished with 28 saves while counterpart Leighton (18-4-3) stopped 24 shots.