Hogs run wild in win over Iowa, 4-1

ROCKFORD, IL – The Iowa Wild (14-16-2-1, 31 points) were defeated by the Rockford IceHogs (11-15-2-3, 27 points) 4-1 in front of 5,345 fans on Friday night at BMO Harris Center. The IceHogs erased a 1-0 Iowa lead with second-period goals by Nolan Valleau and Sam Carrick then pulled away in the third period for the victory. Rockford goalie Mac Carrith (4-5-3) made 25 saves as the Hogs evened the season series at two games apiece. Iowa goalie Steve Michalek (5-8-1) stopped 24 of 27 in defeat. Wild rookie Mario Lucia scored his club’s lone goal. Iowa returns home Saturday at 3 PM CT to host Chicago at Wells Fargo Arena.

Iowa struck for the game’s first goal just 48 seconds into the game. Rookie Mario Lucia picked up his fifth goal of the year for the 1-0 lead. Defenseman Gustav Olofsson and center Grayson Downing each had an assist on the play. Oloffson snapped a wrist shot to the net that goalie Mac Carruth deflected. Lucia swept the rebound into the open net for the 1-0 lead.

The IceHogs evened the score 7:18 into the middle period with a goal by Nolan Valleau. The defenseman jumped into the play and potted a loose puck from the crease, giving Rockford its first goal of the evening. Forwards Spencer Abbott and Kyle Baun each picked up an assist on Valleau’s first goal of the season. The Hogs pushed in front at 13:11 of the period when Abbott slipped a pass to Sam Carrick in the slot.  Carrick lifted a backhand shot past Michalek for the 2-1 Rockford lead. His fourth goal of the year was also assisted by defenseman Ville Pokka.

The IceHogs picked up a two-goal lead at 8:41 of the third period. Right wing Nick Schmaltz scooped up his own rebound and potted a power-play goal for the 3-1 Rockford lead. Valleau and Pokka each had an assist on Schmaltz’s fourth goal of the year. Defenseman Cam Shilling added an empty-net goal at 16:20 for the 4-1 final.