Wolves win, progress on to round 3, Jordan Hendry returns to ice!

Due to the importance of both stories out of last nights game they will be subjects of different pieces.

Jordan Hendry Returns to the Ice!

Whether the team and owners know it or not there is a community of nurses, EMTs, Paramedics and the like in the stands that watch the injury reports and rejoice when an injured player returns to the ice. Last night we were dancing, Rockford's Jordan Hendry, a young man who suffered a fractured skull and facial injuries last month was on the ice playing with fire in his eyes and looking great.

Jordan, if your eyes ever see this know there were many prayers answered last night, seeing you skate was in many ways sweeter than the Wolves win. It is with so much pleasure I can post the following images of Jordan Hendry contributing to the Ice Hogs strong 60 minute effort last night.



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How much time is left?

One of the regular features of attending Wolves games at the Allstate Arena is the guy in 204 who shouts out with a minute 5 seconds left in the period, "how much time is left in the period" The house announce answers "there is one minute left in the period, the crowd replies"thank you". It's a nice custom, hockey fans are so polite. Today as I write there is one game left to play in the series of the Rockford IceHogs and the Chicago Wolves, time is running out in this roller coaster ride also. The Wolves beat the Hogs handily in game six on Sunday in Rockford insuring a game seven.

Game six wrap up is short and sweet, the score was 4:3 Ice Hogs scored in all three period, well done. The Wolves scored all four goals during the second. Hogs discipline broke down and penalties followed allowing four goals on power plays. Rule #1 in playoff hockey, stay out of the box. Rule #2 if your opponent is in the box, capitalise on mistakes. Third period was tightly fought with the Wolves hanging on to their lead by tenacious play. In the closing seconds of the game there were unscheduled fireworks. A total of 160 PIMs were handed out including 20 for a game misconduct, "Coach Obscenity" on Rockford's Mike Haviland.

Indeed, hockey is a passionate game, played by the passionate!






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Now bring on game 7!

Do or die for the Chicago Wolves, Hogs win in the Wolves Den

There was no joy in Mudville Friday night when the home team lost in a blowout involving some of the prettiest goals ever seen in a playoff game.

What does this photog know after looking through 1200 odd images this morning? The stats may not show it but Joe Motzko, Joey Crabb and Kevin Doell are hustling for all their lives are worth. Game 6 is going to be a ring tailed tooter and Kissane and I will be there!

Here are a few images of the game.




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05/06/08, Hogs win second game at home 3:2 at home!

Yes, Virgina there will be a game 5 in the Wolves-IceHogs series at the Allstate Arena on Friday and dare I say it game six in Rockford on Mothers day. Tonight in stark contrast to Sundays snooze fest both teams came out ready to rock and roll. Moments into the first period the familiar sound of palpable hits as players checked each other into the boards resounded through out the arena. The crowd, 2405 strong consisted of only the most dedicated fans. The cheering from this partisan crowd produced such an amazing migraine inducing din that one would think 10,000 souls occupied the barn. The home team responded to the energy produced by the crowd adding a seventh man to each line.


First period started out ripe with promise for a hot game, however after the first 10 minutes the Wolves meters seemed to run out ending in a one goal lead by the IceHogs. Second period the Wolves were simply out played, the frame ended in a 3:0 lead for the home team. Hog players are as one fan put it are" doing more to get to the puck than we have seen before, putting their bodies on the line." She is correct the Hogs are playing like each game is their last and that attitude is one that will bring the Calder home. A third period rally by Brian Fahey and Jesse Schultz brought the score to 3:2 at 13:38 and OT seemed within sight. But a shot at a new game was not to be for the Wolves. Despite an impressive effort the seconds of the last minute of play ticked by without the puck finding the net. For the Wolves to make it past Rockford they are going to have to take it several steps higher. Staying out of the box like they did in game one is imperative, when down a man, the PK has to step up. When on the PP like the Hogs they will have to have the ganas to make every move a possibility. No more digging for the puck in corners and a simple dump and chase, the Hogs gave up on that two games ago. It is a happy thought at our dinner table that we will be cheering on and covering whoever wins this series. But please guys, as I have said before, Hogs win good, Wolves win better. However, if play keeps up like the last two games the Hoggers will deserve it more, Wolves make them earn every game! Wednesday night the Wolves showed the Hogs their bellies for 40 minutes and came away with the loss, that will only earn you first crack at tee times.

I'll say it again, this series is going a full seven games and the winner will be the first one to win in the other teams house. The Hogs have yet to win this season in the Allstate. The Wolves have a SO win to their credit in the Metro, yes Virgina, this is going to be a down to the wire series. Merry Christmas to us all!




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05/04/08: Turn of the Cards, IceHogs win! 3-1

Last night the Rockford Icehogs came out their home locker room and hit the ice with fire in their tired bellies and strength in their worn legs. The Wolves? Well frankly they looked tired, played tired and lost tired. It the funk over the Wolves bench seemed to say it was all over by the second period, a surprise Wolves goal during the third frame did nothing to inspire the team to overtime. The next meeting of these two fine teams is Wednesday night. Two days rest will make a difference in most physical factors, however the Wolves will still have to put this single loss behind them and get down to business . Yes, Chicago has defeated the Hogs in their own house before in a hard fought battle in the depth of winter. Wednesday night it will be their chance to put the series to bed and prepare for a third round opponent among the flowers of spring.

This series will be won by the first team that wins in a visitors house. Well, it could be over in two days, or it could carry on to next week. Somehow I don't see it ending on Wednesday might, this series is going a full seven.




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On the dinner front, we all know that fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches were popular at Graceland. Who knew that Elvis and Priscilla did great burgers? Thanks for hosting a crowd of hungry Wolves fans, it was a great afternoon of hockey talk and jalapeno burgers. Yes, in October I predicted the fans of the Rockford IceHogs would enrich the AHL with their UHL soul and they have. AHL fans can learn much from the generosity and passion these fans show at every game. If you havn't made the road trip yet to Rockford do it next year. If you can't have a good time at a Hogs game, well, better check your pulse, you might have been dead for the last six months. God Bless them every one!

5/3/08 Wolves /Rockford game 2, Wolves 7, Rockford 3

Game on! The Chicago Wolves came with their game faces on last night for the second meeting in the playoff series against the Rockford IceHogs. Clearly the Wolves seemed more intense and disciplined from the opening minutes. A prime example of this was a hit on Chicago blueliner Boris Valabik (#4) by Rockford center Jake Dowell. Valabik went straight into the boards with the left side of his neck, shoulder and head into the pine. For a few endless minutes the stadium held its breath while the trainer and Vaabik conferred from his prone position. He rose and gingerly skated to the bench. There he remained with his team mates packed in ice and holding his own, Valabik returned for the second period and during the third had ultimate revenge scoring a goal for the Wolves. That was the only retaliation for the hit. Jason Krog(#10) the Wolves scoring powerhouse, had a long night. He seemed to be the target of constant stick holding,hits and interference. Often not called or seen by the refereeing staff. Again the discipline held and retaliation was kept to chatter and scoring goals. Obviously the winner of this hard fought series will be the one with the lowest PIMs and most goals.

This afternoon the Wolves pack up their gear and fans and head to the infamous Metro. The BOB is a great place to see a game, great sight lines and tasty concessions. The Wolves besides needing to get into golaie Corey Crawford's head early and stay there will need to silence the always deafening Rockford crowds. As always, stay out of the sin bin boys!

It's going to be lovely day of great hockey to be sure, starting with the BBQ with Elvis and Priscella. I checked out the menu last night, alas, no pig roast, but great classic burgers and all the fixings. Sounds like perfect playoff hockey to me!




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The Battle of Chicago Hockey,Game 1, Wolves- 4 Rockford -1

If there is one thing I love about playoff hockey it is the weather, often the biggest question of the day is do you dress for the weather outside the arena 70-80 degrees or the 60+ degrees inside? Ah, playoff hockey where even Chilly Willy is wearing only a tee shirt or a camisole under her jersey. In this playoff series pegging the Rockford Ice Hogs against the Wolves, jersey? Which jersey? That was the second question, as long time readers of this and it's sister blog Patrick Kissane's "Sit down and Shut Up" will know we have been loyal followers of the UHL Rockford Ice Hogs for several years. What sweater indeed, Wolves or Hawgs? Kissane in his usual diplomatic way had the answer, he would wear the classic Hogs "Hammer" sweater and I my Wolves. I can tell you we got some reactions that ran the gamete from surprised to hostile from the Wolves boosters that had no idea we were of mixed loyalties. However the usual suspects from Rockford in attendance who for the last few years had partied, cheered and loved the UHL Hogs with us did not seemed troubled at all. In fact we have an invitation for a pre game dinner on Sunday- Thanks Elvis and Elvis Fan! Somehow I doubt pork will be on the menu though.

The game itself started without any of the predicted fisticuffs in the pregame skate, just the usual photo ops and warm ups. During the first period both teams stayed on their own games and seemed very well matched. Smart money says this series will hinge on just a few things, the stat whores have been analyzing feverishly and basically these teams are beautifully matched with the Wolves having a slight edge on the PP. It will come down to in my humble opinion staying out of the penalty box,heart and a bit of dumb luck. Last night the Wolves showed more discipline in the second and third periods earning them more goals and less time in the box. The sole Rockford goal came late in the third period as part of a last ditch effort to avoid a shut out. This series is going to be a long one, game 2 is 7:00 Saturday night at the Allstate. All I wish for is great hockey, with no injuries. If Rockford wins good, if Wolves win better!




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