Wolves end three-game skid against IceHogs

The Chicago Wolves seized control early with 3 first-period goals, and goaltender Robert Gherson made 27 saves in a 6-1 victory over the Rockford IceHogs at the Allstate Arena on Saturday night.

The Wolves snapped a three-game losing streak and pulled ahead of Rockford to hang on to first place in the West Division.

The teams entered the game in a three-way tie with the Iowa Chops for the division lead. The Chops, who also won on Saturday, share first with the Wolves at 30 points.

Gherson (4-2-0) held the IceHogs scoreless for the first 56:14 of the game while Wolves right wings Joe Motzko (2 goals, 1 assist) and Jeff Hamilton (3 assists) led the offense with 3 points each. Left wing Brett Sterling (1 goal, 1 assist) and center Matt Anderson (2 assists) helped the Wolves match their season high for goals scored in a game.

"It was very nice to score goals early," said Wolves coach Don Granato. "We've struggled lately and our confidence going into the game wasn't very good, so to get those early goals was nice. We didn't let up after that and the energy level stayed the same, and that's nice to see."