Pitlick Shootout Winner Lifts IceHogs Past Wolves 6-5

Rem Pitlick’s shootout winner capped a back-and-forth affair as the Rockford IceHogs prevailed 6-5 over the Wolves, closing a busy weekend with a dramatic victory at the BMO Center. The result rewarded a comeback-minded IceHogs squad and delivered the kind of late-game theatrics that energize the downtown market and sustain interest in AHL product development.

The game unfolded as a scoring clinic. Rockford struck first when Martin Misiak banged home a loose puck at the back post 7:22 into the first period. Chicago responded less than a minute later as Justin Robidas picked his spot past Drew Commesso to knot the score. Bradly Nadeau restored a Chicago lead with a power-play strike before Connor Mylymok fed Dillon Boucher at the back post to tie the opening frame.

Rem Pitlick gave the IceHogs a 3-2 edge early in the second with a blast from the slot, but Noel Guler answered for Chicago to keep the game tight. Pitlick added his second of the night in the third after an error by Chicago goaltender Amir Miftakhov put Rockford ahead again. Chicago’s top line countered when Robidas finished a give-and-go with Ronan Seeley to even the score once more. With four minutes remaining, Suzuki sniped a go-ahead goal for Chicago, only for Rockford to pull the goalie and have Cavan Fitzgerald snap in the 5-5 equalizer with the extra attacker.

After a scoreless overtime, Pitlick delivered in the skills phase, converting the lone shootout attempt to secure two points for Rockford. The game’s scoring summary by period read Chicago 2-1-2-0-0-5 and Rockford 2-1-2-0-1-6, reflecting regulation, overtime, and the shootout sequence.

From a performance standpoint, Pitlick’s multi-goal night and the shootout conversion underline his finishing ability in tight situations. Justin Robidas provided a constant offensive push for Chicago, while the contributions from depth players such as Misiak, Mylymok, Boucher, and Fitzgerald highlight how secondary scoring can determine outcomes in the AHL’s high-variance environment. Goaltending miscues played a role, and the late-game decision to employ the extra attacker paid off for Rockford.

Beyond the scoreboard, games like this matter to the IceHogs’ business and community footprint. Exciting finishes drive fan engagement, create social buzz, and reinforce the AHL’s reputation as a development league that also delivers entertainment value. For players, these moments can influence call-ups and roster attention as NHL clubs monitor performance under pressure.

The IceHogs return home aiming to build on this momentum when they host the Texas Stars at the BMO Center on Friday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. For local fans, the takeaway is clear: this team has the late-game grit and offensive depth to keep delivering compelling hockey as the season progresses.