Rockford, Chicago tied at two in series after 3-2 Hogs win

Rockford, IL—Behind by two goals, the Chicago Wolves were gaining momentum in the closing minutes of the second period when a turnover led to a goal with a minute on the clock, reversing their momentum. The goal by Troy Brouwer, his second of the game, allowed the Hogs to hang on to win, tying the Western Division finals of the AHL championship series at two each.

The series, which was marked by physical play throughout, got off immediately to a bang with powerful checks into the boards. The glass swaying to the impacts, a Rockford fan chortled, “we never finish our checks, what’s gotten into them?”

But it was also a disciplined game, marked by 13 power plays that may have led to the Rockford win. Taking away the opportunity for Chicago to put its powerful special teams unit on the ice was more of a factor than the side-to-side high side shots predicted in a Rockford Register Star article.

The series now moves to the Allstate Arena for a Friday game. The Hogs have never won a game at the Allstate, including in this playoff series. Two of the remaining games are played at the Allstate. So, for the Hogs to move on, they must win one in Rosemont.