Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business

Wolves start Thursday, lose Friday

Posted on April 27, 2018April 28, 2018 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Wolves start Thursday, lose Friday
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Wolves start Thursday, lose Friday

Season ends after longest game in franchise history 

By Steve Metsch

In case you missed it, the Wolves season came to a sudden conclusion at 12:08 a.m. Friday.

That’s when Rockford’s  Victor Ejdsell scored on a blast from the right circle, the puck beating goalie Max Lagace, finding the back of the net and thus ending the 2017-18 season for the Wolves.

It came in Game Three of the division semifinals with just 2:38 remaining in the third overtime as Rockford swept the series. Yes, three overtimes, which means those in attendance – or watching at home on TV – were treated to just less than two entire hockey games at Allstate Arena.

The Wolves website said it was the longest game in franchise history, and eighth-longest in American Hockey League playoff history. It ended one minute shy of being a five-hour game.

I was among those at Allstate Arena Thursday night/Friday morning. And, yes, I stayed until the bitter end. Or is that bittersweet? It’s always a bummer to see the local team lose, but it’s even worse when that loss means the season is over. There’s no heading to Rockford for Game Four on Sunday, which I had planned to do. There’s no returning for the ultimate Game Five on Monday night, a game for which I had tickets. That’s it. Over. Done. See ya next season.

It’s not that the Wolves didn’t have their chances. Heck, they took 55 shots on goal. But consider that Rockford took a whopping 76 shots on goal. The two combined for 131 shots on goal and only seven scored. The goalies – as our friends in the Great White North sometimes say to show their appreciation for a great effort – “were standing on their heads.”

 

Now about that winning goal.

I was floored, as was the camerman shooting from the handicapped section where I sat, that the ref called a high-sticking penalty in the waning moments of the third overtime. What happened to that time-honored playoff rule that you don’t call a penalty unless you see blood? Evidently, it was not the case for this game. With the man advantage, Rockford managed to find the net. Seconds before, the Wolves nearly scored to win the game. In fact, both sides had numerous chances to end the game in the first, second and third overtime periods.

Now about those overtimes, I’ve got a beef with the Allstate Arena. There was no food to be found. One vendor told me “they are selling pizza” at the north side stand, so I wheeled there on my knee scooter – recovering from foot surgery – only to find the stand closed.  A worker had a huge pile of what I’m guess were pizza slices wrapped in foil. I offered him a couple of bucks for a piece. He didn’t even respond. Just looked at me. Trust me, folks, he didn’t need the extra calories.

I did mange to find some free popcorn between the second and third periods in the very cool Budweiser Brew House, a new addition to the arena, located near Section 116 the southeast corner. It’s a great place to relax between periods and kick back a few libations. It’s a place I could see watching an entire period one game thanks to what I’ve dubbed The Wolves Wall, a wall of HDTV sets.

But I digress. Back to the game.

The Wolves started the scoring and led 2-0 in the second period. That’s when Rockford reeled off three goals. The Wolves’ Wade Megan managed to tie the score early in the third period, setting up the marathon.

When that game ended, it was a weird feeling. I fully expected a fourth overtime.

My first thoughts were “that’s it, season over.” A wave of sadness swept over me. I’ve been going to Wolves games for 24 seasons. They’re easy on the wallet, fun,  and the team traditionally puts a great product on the ice. You don’t make the playoffs 19 of 24 seasons without having a good system in place.

Losing stinks. But I’m glad I was there. It’s a game fans will long remember.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at [email protected]
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are still rockin’ - August 10, 2023
  • Weathering personal storms - July 20, 2023
  • Countryside solution irks some - July 20, 2023
NPV: 30
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Opinion, Sports Tags:AllState Arena, American Hockey League, longest game, overtime, playoffs, Rockford, Wolves

Post navigation

Previous Post: Bridgeview Stadium is an investment in our future
Next Post: No injuries reported at Orland Park retail store fire

Related Posts

  • Landscape Structures Provide Function and Beauty Blogger
  • Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau in the middle of the COVID pandemic not wearing a face mask. Photo courtesy of the Village of Orland Park.
    Orland Park’s mayor plans to run for congress Blogger
  • Time to clean the Water Reclamation District’s political filter General Topics
  • Presidential candidates have no idea what Americans need Blogger
  • Hate radio host Mark Levin. Photo courtesy of WIkipedia
    After fleeing SiriusXM, I was shocked by the hate on AM Radio in Chicago Blogger
  • William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Programs based on Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness undermine merit in America Bill Lipinski

More Related Articles

Police car, this one from Chicago. Photo courtesy WIkipedia Is there a politics to mass shootings? Blogger
President George W. Bush walks across the tarmac with NFO Lt. Ryan Phillips to Navy One, an S-3B Viking jet, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego Thursday, May 1, 2003. Flying to the USS Abraham Lincoln, the President addressed the nation and declared "Mission accomplished" in Iraq to justify diverting forces from Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Right from the Middle: Can we win the war in Ukraine? Bill Lipinski
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot must go Blogger
San Francisco district attorney Chesa Boudin. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Right from the Middle: Continuation of the beginning of the end Bill Lipinski
Migrants working fields. Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash Immigration needs more than reform, it needs to be fixed Bill Lipinski
Russian soldiers in front of the Kremlin. Photo courtesy of Steve hHarvey, LrwMuJNTIA unsplash Right from the Middle: Strengthening America’s defenses needed now more than ever Bill Lipinski

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme