Rockford, Ill. – Henri Jokiharju potted his first professional goal as part of a four-goal run for the Rockford IceHogs as they downed the Chicago Wolves, 5-2, in an Illinois Lottery Cup showdown Friday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The win extended the Rockford winning streak to a season-high tying three games.
Photo by Nathan Vestal
The IceHogs fell to an early one-goal deficit, but Jokiharju drew Rockford even 12:30 into the contest. In his first game since being assigned to Rockford by the Chicago Blackhawks, the 19-year-old defenseman fired the tying marker from the right point past the glove side of Wolves goaltender Oscar Dansk.
Alexandre Fortin gave the IceHogs the lead at the 2:54 mark of the second period, redirecting a centering feed from Terry Broadhurst. Broadhurst now has five points in his last four games since snapping a 17-game pointless stretch on Jan. 21 against Iowa.
William Pelletier netted the eventual game-winner 4:25 later, deflecting another centering pass form Broadhurst from the high slot. Then Victor Ejdsell added another tally late in the frame, giving the IceHogs a 4-1 lead entering the third period.
Chicago’s Gage Quinney trimmed the IceHogs lead in the final stanza, but Alexandre Fortin scored his second of the night on an empty-netter to quiet any attempt at a comeback.
Rockford goaltender Kevin Lankinen made 28 saves in the victory, earning wins in consecutive starts for the first time this season.