Joe Motzko tied it up at 9:04 in the second for his 24th of the year, with help coming from Jeff Hamilton and Grant Stevenson. Motzko scored nine of his 24 goals off the Hogs this year. The Wolves five-on-three led to Brett Skinner blasting one past Antti Niemi to put Chicago on top with only six seconds left in the second.

The Wolves controlled most of the third period, keeping the IceHogs off balance. “I thought we quit making plays as the game went on, and we had a hard time moving the puck. We left the puck on the wall a lot and didn’t make our plays,” said Peters.

Jeff Hamilton slid one past Niemi at 1:01 in the third on a power play, with Clay Wilson and Joe Motzko assisting. Rockford got back to within one goal with Jimmy Sparrow’s five-hole goal on Robert Gherson at 17:23. That was just too little too late—the IceHogs could not finish the comeback, falling to the Wolves on their last visit to Rockford this year.

Antti Niemi had a solid showing at goal with 30 saves, and Chicago’s Gherson stopped 25. Rockford will meet up with the Wolves again on the final day of the regular season. Up next for the IceHogs is a two game visit from the Grand Rapids Griffins. Rockford is currently tied for second in the West.

To purchase tickets go to: http://www.icehogs.com