The Chicago Blackwolves opened a 3-0 lead and never looked back, defeating the Whalers 8-6 on April 15 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
Steve Ness and Ryan Kennedy each had a hat trick ( three goals ) , while Andy Rogers and Pavel Nadin each scored once.
Blackwolves goalies John Adams and Keith Halverson split the action, combining for 29 saves in the second annual Wolves Night Out—and the second consecutive Blackwolves win over the Whalers.
'I thought it was a lot of fun,' said Andy Rogers, a forward for the Blackwolves. 'We made some great plays and had some great passes. We actually could have had a few more goals, but just didn't convert.'
The game also marked the Chicago Gay Hockey Association debut of Mike Quigley, a Cook County Board commissioner.
'Mike definitely fit in with the team and certainly is welcome to play with us in the Gay Games,' this summer, Rogers said. Quigley didn't have a goal, but certainly showed his tough side when he was whistled for a roughing penalty.
'We definitely hope to do it again next year. The Wolves were great to work with, again,' Rogers said.
Billy Reay, one of the team's stalwart defensemen, served as the game-day coach while rehabilitating his shoulder following surgery.