Matt Climie, Wolves melt IceHogs

ROCKFORD — The Chicago Wolves netted a season-best 4 goals and goaltender Matt Climie recorded a career-high 47 saves in a 4-1 Illinois Lottery Cup victory over the Rockford IceHogs at the BMO Harris Bank Center on Saturday night.

Forwards Mike Duco (goal, 2 assists), Bill Sweatt (goal and assist) and Dean Strong (2 assists) sparked the Wolves (2-2-0-2), who won their second straight after starting the season on a four-game winless streak.

The Wolves opened scoring at 5:50 of the first period when defenseman Yann Sauve’s one-timer from the near point deflected off a defender and past goalie Alexander Salak.

The Wolves doubled their lead when Duco sent a shot toward the net and the puck deflected off Sweatt’s skate into the net at 6:16 of the second period.

Defenseman Dustin Friesen put the Wolves on top 3-0 at 7:33 of the third period when his one-timer from the top of the far circle sailed over the glove of Salak (0-2-0), who made 14 saves.

The IceHogs (3-3-0-0) spoiled Climie’s shutout bid with a power-play goal on a rebound by Philippe Paradis at 11:20 of the third period.

Duco iced the win on an empty-net goal with 2:05 left.