Icehogs roll past Wolves, 4-1

ROCKFORD - The Chicago Wolves lost their grip on a 1-1 tie early in the second period and couldn't muster a response, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rockford IceHogs at the Rockford MetroCentre Friday night.

Back-to-back power plays helped the IceHogs open scoring 9:24 into the first period. Defenseman Brian Connelly fired a long shot into traffic from high in the zone, and right wing Danny Bois was able to chip a quick deflection by Wolves goaltender Manny Legace's stick side.

Right wing Tim Stapleton of the Wolves netted his team-leading third goal of the season to pull Chicago (1-4-0-0) into a 1-1 tie at 6:15 into the second period. Right wing Spencer Machacek worked the puck out from along the boards near the benches and kicked it out to Angelo Esposito streaking toward the IceHogs net. Esposito shot a centering pass to Stapleton in the slot, and the right wing cranked a shot through Rockford goaltender Corey Crawford.

Crawford (2-2-0) posted 26 saves to pick up the win for the IceHogs. Legace (1-1-0) recorded 27 saves for the Wolves.

The IceHogs regained a one-goal lead, 2-1, with a tally from center Mark Cullen at 12:37 of the second frame. Bois fired a shot at Legace from the near circle, which he blocked, but the rebound squirted loose into the crease and Cullen was able to knock it over the line.

Rockford (3-2-1-0) pused its lead to 3-1 with 2:34 to play in the middle frame when center Nathan Davis sprung out on a breakaway after evading a Wolves defenseman and putting the puck past Legace.

Davis added his second of the game, an empty-net tally, with 1:13 remaining in the game to round out scoring for the IceHogs.

The Wolves return home Saturday to face the Hamilton Bulldogs at the Allstate Arena at 7 p.m.