Wolves rally, but fall to IceHogs in shootout

Chicago Wolves forward Jeremy Welsh scored a third-period goal that forced overtime, but the Rockford IceHogs held on to capture a 3-2 shootout win before 15,225 in an Illinois Lottery Cup game at Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Saturday night.

IceHogs defenseman T.J. Brennan recorded the only goal in the shootout.

Forward Magnus Paajarvi also scored for the Wolves (19-15-4-1), who outshot the IceHogs 44-21 during regulation and seven minutes of overtime.

"It was night and day," said Wolves coach John Anderson when comparing his team's effort Saturday to the Wolves' performance in Friday's 5-1 loss to Lake Erie. "At least I know that our room has heart. What happened Friday night was unacceptable as a coach. Now we've just got to get that kind of effort - and that's my job - every game. I'm very proud of how they played tonight."

The Wolves opened the scoring 6:14 into the first period when Paajarvi intercepted a pass and quickly flicked the puck between goaltender Michael Leighton's legs for his first goal with the Wolves.

The IceHogs (23-14-4-2), who are the Blackhawks' affiliate in the American Hockey League, tied it at 1-1 at 8:03 on Ryan Hartman's power-play goal. Hartman accepted a pass at the blue line from Peter Regin and raced in for a forehand flip past Wolves goaltender Jordan Binnington.

The IceHogs took their first lead 4:27 into the second period when Phillip Danault set up Mark McNeill for a one-timer from the high slot. McNeill's blast eluded Binnington's blocker.

The Wolves pulled even at 11:38 of the third period on Welsh's power-play goal. Philip McRae blasted a shot from the high slot that Leighton blocked, but Welsh was on the doorstep to control the rebound and lift a backhand into the net.

Leighton (10-7-4) posted 42 saves to pick up the win. Binnington (10-6-2) rejected 19 shots during regulation and overtime.