WOLVES OUTLAST ROCKFORD IN WEST DIVISION SHOWDOWN

Photo by Greg Hamil
Rosemont, Ill.- After trading the first five goals on Sunday afternoon against the Chicago Wolves, the Rockford IceHogs couldn’t come up with the equalizer in the third period at the Allstate Arena. Chicago doubled up Rockford 4-2 to pad their lead on top of the West Division.

Rockford faced three first period power plays, but it wasn’t their penalty kill that put them in an early 1-0 hole. At 5:02 of the opening frame, Spencer Machacek put back a Paul Postma rebound past Corey Crawford for his 15th goal of the season.

In the second period the IceHogs evened the score on the power play. Jack Skille shelved his 20th goal of the season over the shoulder of Peter Mannino off of a Bracken Kearns feed ay 2:34 to make it 1-1.

But Chicago responded with a power-play goal of their own. Jamie Hunt blasted home his sixth goal of the campaign with the power play winding down at 5:54. The goal was helped by Posta and Andrew Kozek.

Bryan Bickell again tied the score for Rockford, this time at 10:14. Bickell picked up a Brian Connelly pass at the Chicago blue line and beat Mannino five-hole for his 12th marker of the season.

Late the second period Chicago would reclaim their advantage. Moments after a Rockford penalty expired, Anthony Stewart slipped his 12th goal of the campaign under Crawford for a 3-2 Chicago lead.

Chicago built on their 3-2 lead in the third period while short handed. Machacek stripped Bracken Kearns of the puck at the Rockford blue line and beat Crawford glove side at 11:53 for his second goal of the game.

Crawford took the loss after making 30 saves while Mannino earned the win by blocking 25 Rockford shots. The IceHogs finished the contest 1-3 on the power play while holding Chicago to 1-7.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, March 3 vs. Lake Erie Monsters. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. IceHogs game-worn jerseys of Danny Bois, Akim Aliu, Jonathan Carlsson, Bryan Bickell and Joe Fallon will be given away during the game. It’s also a Golden Goal game, where fans will have a chance to win $10,000 if the IceHogs score with 9:10 left on the clock in the third period. High School and college students will also be able to get the best available ticket after 6 p.m. for just $10 as a part of WXRX’s Student Rush program. Call (815) 847-6399 and ask about the 4 for $44 family pack which includes four tickets, soft drinks, hot dogs and popcorn.

KEARNS SCORES WITH 11 SECONDS LEFT, HOGS WIN 2-1 IN SHOOTOUT

By: Chris Etheridge

Five Chicago Blackhawks players visited the Rockford MetroCentre for Blackhawks Night presented by Taco Bell. (photo by Greg Hamil)
02/27/2010 5:00 PM - Rockford improves to 4-2-1-1 against Peoria with the win

Rockford, Ill.- Bracken Kearns found the back of the net with 11.2 seconds left on a dramatic 6-on-4 power play to push the game to overtime. Then the Rockford IceHogs picked up the extra point in the shootout, beating the Peoria Rivermen 2-1 on Saturday in front of a sold out Rockford MetroCentre.

"We had a lot of opportunities but not too many shots," said center Adam Hobson. "We stayed with it and eventually it went in."

Peoria's Barry Tallackson put the Rivermen on the board first as he put a drive past Corey Crawford at 12:30 in the second period. Pascal Pelletier and Justin Fletcher figured in with assists on the play.

The game picked up in the third period as the IceHogs had their chances. With Cam Paddock in the box for goaltender interference and the clock ticking down in the final minute, the Hogs took advantage with a 6-on-4 when they pulled Crawford. At 19:48, Kearns found his chance and cashed in, flipping the puck past Hannu Toivonen to send it into overtime. Matt Keith and Jack Skille registered the assists.

"Coach came in during the second intermission and said 'I don't care if it goes in in the first minute or last minute, we're going to keep on playing until we score' and that's what we did," said Hobson.

It was the second time in four games that the IceHogs won after trailing in the second intermission.

"That's what good teams do," said Hobson. "They always find ways to win. Whether we're down or any sort of situation, they find ways to win and that's what we're doing right now."

After a scoreless overtime, Akim Aliu and Matt Keith registered goals in the shootout, while Nicholas Drazenovic was the lone Rivermen skater to beat Crawford.

The Hogs and Rivermen were both 1-for-4 on the power play in the game. Crawford made 22 saves in the win, while Toivonen had 24 saves in the losing effort.

With the victory, Crawford is just two wins shy of becoming the winningest goalie in IceHogs history.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, March 3 vs. Lake Erie Monsters. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. IceHogs game-worn jerseys of Danny Bois, Akim Aliu, Jonathan Carlsson, Bryan Bickell and Joe Fallon will be given away during the game. It’s also a Golden Goal game, where fans will have a chance to win $10,000 if the IceHogs score with 9:10 left on the clock in the third period. High School and college students will also be able to get the best available ticket after 6 p.m. for just $10 as a part of WXRX’s Student Rush program. Call (815) 847-6399 and ask about the 4 for $44 family pack which includes four tickets, sodas, hot dogs and popcorn.

FALLON BACKSTOPS ROCKFORD OVER MILWAUKEE

Photo by Scott Paulus - Hogs goalie makes 27 saves in 4-1 win

Milwaukee, Wis.- In their final regular season game at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, the Rockford were trying to get over the hump over the Admirals on the road. Joe Fallon helped Rockford knock off the Admirals 4-1 on Thursday behind 27 saves.

Rockford finished the season series in Milwaukee 2-3-0-0 and need a win in their final matchup with the Ads at the Rockford MetroCentre to split the season. The IceHogs are 4-5-0-0 overall against the West Division rivals.

Jake Dowell tallied the only first period goal on Thursday. Bryan Bickell forced a turnover behind the Milwaukee goal and found Dowell in front who flipped his seventh goal of the season over Mark Dekanich.

A tight second period also featured an IceHogs goal making it 2-0 heading into the second intermission. While on a power play, defenseman Richard Petiot ripped home his sixth goal of the season at 17:09. The goal was set up by Jassen Cullimore and Evan Brophey

In the third period the Admirals cut the IceHogs lead in half. Teemu Laakso flipped the puck at the IceHogs goal and after Joe Fallon was bumped off the floater, Hugh Jessiman picked up the loose change and backhanded in his 15th goal of the season at 4:15 of the third frame.

With Milwaukee pressing late in the third period Rockford iced it with a pair of empty-net tallies. Rob Klinkhammer sunk the first one at 19:05 of the final frame for his ninth goal of the season before Jack Skille buried his 19th goal of the campaign at 19:34.

Dekanich took the loss with 24 saves. Rockford held the Admirals to 0-3 on the power play while converting 1-5 of their own advantages.
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Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 27 vs. Peoria Rivermen: Game time is 7:05 p.m. It’s Blackhawks Night presented by Taco Bell at the MetroCentre as fans will have an opportunity to meet Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Haviland along with forwards Kris Versteeg, Troy Brouwer, Colin Fraser, defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson and goalie Antti Niemi. The IceHogs will be hosting a silent auction and also giving away five game worn IceHogs jerseys throughout the game.

ADMIRALS TRIP UP ICEHOGS 4-1

Milwaukee, Wis.- With three wins already in the bag in Week 21, the Rockford IceHogs were unable to capture a fourth on Sunday as the Milwaukee Admirals skated by them 4-1 at the Bradley Center.

Milwaukee notched the only first period tally on Sunday 12:31 into the frame. Triston Grant knocked in a Mark Matheson pass from the blue-line past Corey Crawford for his tenth goal of the season.

Dylan Hunter extended the Admirals lead to 2-0 at 4:05 of the second period. The Admirals winger knocked in a Mark Santorelli rebound in transition for his second goal of the season.

Then on a power play Milwaukee made it 3-0. Nick Spaling deflected a Robert Dietrich slap shop from the point past Crawford for his third marker of the campaign at 6:37.

Akim Aliu cut into Rockford’s deficit later in the second period with his 11th goal of the year. After picking up an Adam Hobson pass, Aliu skated over the Admirals line and snuck the puck past Mark Dekanich at 10:34 of the middle frame.

In the third period the Admirals put the game out of reach when Colin Wilson beat Crawford at 17:37 for his 13th marker of the campaign.

With the loss, Crawford had his five game road unbeaten streak come to an end. Crawford made 25 saves while Dekanich earned his second straight win over Rockford with 21 stops.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 27 vs. Peoria Rivermen: Game time is 7:05 p.m. It’s Blackhawks Night presented by Taco Bell at the MetroCentre as fans will have an opportunity to meet Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Haviland along with forwards Kris Versteeg, Troy Brouwer, Colin Fraser, defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson and goalie Antti Niemi. The IceHogs will be hosting a silent auction and also giving away five game worn IceHogs jerseys throughout the game.

ICEHOGS POST BACK-TO-BACK WINS OVER SAN ANTONIO

Photo by Greg Hamil
Hogs finish three-game weekend in Milwaukee on Sunday

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs picked up four points over the San Antonio Rampage in back-to-back games after scoring two quick goals in the third period to take the contest 3-2 on Saturday at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Jack Skille got the scoring started for the IceHogs when he picked up a pass from Pete MacArthur and sent it to the back of the cage at 11:36. Jassen Cullimore was also credited with an assist.

San Antonio wasted little time responding 27 seconds later to tie the game at 1-1. Kevin Porter picked up the puck on a tic-tac-toe play and snuck it past Joe Fallon at 12:03. David Spina and Mikkel Boedker had the helpers.

In a quiet second period, the Rampage made the most of a late power play opportunity, going up 2-1 at 19:11. Matt Watkins scored his ninth goal of the year on a rebound from Porter putting Rockford in the hole with 20 minutes left. Boedker was also credited with his second assist of the night.

"I don't think there was ever any doubt in the locker room," Keith said. "It's just one of those games that if you have chances, you just have to bury them."

At 4:14 in the third period, Skille sniped a shot over goalie Josh Tordjman's blocker to record his team-leading third multi-goal game of the season. Assists on the power play goal came from Richard Petiot and Evan Brophey.

The IceHogs took control of the game at 8:41, when Matt Keith scored his fourth goal against the Rampage and second game-winner this weekend on a rebound from a MacArthur snipe. Brophey also tallied his second assist of the night.

"Tonight was more of a complete team by us," Keith said. "So there was a little better feeling in the dressing room after the game tonight than there was last night."

MacArthur finished the set of games with five assists and a +4.

Joe Fallon recorded the win with 27 saves, while Tordjman stopped 19 of 22. San Antonio's power play was 1-for-4 and Rockford posted one on two opportunities.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 27 vs. Peoria Rivermen: Game time is 7:05 p.m. It’s Blackhawks Night presented by Taco Bell at the MetroCentre as fans will have an opportunity to meet Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Haviland along with forwards Kris Versteeg, Troy Brouwer, Colin Fraser, defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson and goalie Antti Niemi. The IceHogs will be hosting a silent auction and also giving away five game worn IceHogs jerseys throughout the game.

KEITH, ICEHOGS BEAT RAMPAGE WITH HAT TRICK ON HAT NIGHT

Rockford, Ill.- Center Matt Keith posted his first American Hockey League hat trick in the Rockford IceHogs' 6-5 win over the San Antonio Rampage on Friday night at the Rockford MetroCentre.

It was Rockford's first hat trick of the season. Richard Petiot finished the night +4 and Pete MacArthur had three assists, feeding Keith on two of his goals.

The Hogs led 4-1 after 20 minutes of the game, but found themselves fighting for their lives after giving up two goals in the second period.

Winger Stefan Meyer put the Rampage on the board at 2:52 in the first period, beating Corey Crawford for his seventh goal of the year with an assist from Jimmy Sharrow.

The IceHogs were quick to respond. Keith tied it up with his twelfth goal of the year at 7:37 over the blocker of Justin Pogge with assists from Evan Brophey and MacArthur.

Rockford pulled ahead at 15:49 when defenseman Mike Brennan scored off of a rebound from a Jack Skille shot. It's his third goal of the year.

The IceHogs solidified their lead 26 seconds later when Keith scored his second goal of the night with helpers from MacArthur and David Phillips.

That was followed at 18:13 with an unassisted goal from Richard Petiot, his fifth of the season. The defenseman blasted the puck from the blue line, flying over Pogge's glove to give the Hogs a 4-1 lead.

San Antonio came out firing in the second period. Mikkel Boedker started a set of quick strikes for the Rampage as he put one past Crawford at 4:24. Gavin Morgan and Andrew Orpik were credited with assists.

Kevin Porter cut the IceHogs lead to only one as he notched his 12th of the season. Boedker and Justin Kinnunen registered assists.

Rockford padded their lead with just over a minute to go in the second when Kyle Greentree scored his 22nd goal of the season on a pass from Skille.

San Antonio posted their fourth goal of the night on the power play at 5:42 in the third when Kyle Turris pushed the puck past Crawford in a scrum in front of the goal. Brett MacLean and Chad Kolarik were credited with the assists.

Keith sent the hats flying on IceHogs baseball cap giveaway night, presented by Pepsi, WXRX and WIFR, at 17:49 with a shot that just barely hit the top of the net. Bryan Bickell and MacArthur were credited with the assists.

San Antonio wasn't done quite yet, and again brought the game within a goal off of a shot from Brett MacLean. David Schlemko and Boedker had the helpers with just under a minute to play.

The IceHogs held on, and Crawford had the win with 29 saves. Goalie Josh Tordjman was tagged with the loss on 17 saves. Pogge, who left the game after the first period, had eight saves on 12 shots.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 20 vs. San Antonio Rampage. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Rockford concludes its four-game homestand. The game is the fourth and final against the Rampage in Rockford in 2009-10. The first 2,500 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs Jersey Pillow from OSF and Q98.5 FM.

CONNELLY POSTS OVERTIME GAME WINNER IN 2-1 DECISION

Photo by Kris Gray
Hogs pick up 15 out of 16 points in season series with Griffins

Rockford, Ill.- The Grand Rapids Griffins got off to a quick start with a goal 37 seconds into the game, but the Rockford IceHogs rallied to post a 2-1 overtime win at the Rockford MetroCentre on Monday.

"It was a good way to wrap up the weekend," said Rockford coach Bill Peters. "We just considered this a part of the weekend. We went 2-1, so we can live with that. We needed today's game and found a way to get it done."

Grand Rapids wasted little time getting on the board when Mattias Ritola beat Corey Crawford for his 13th goal of the season at :37 with assists from Logan Pyett and Jeremy Williams.

Center Bracken Kearns got it back a few minutes later when he picked off a pass from behind the Grand Grapids' net and beat Daniel Larsson at 7:53. It was his 12th goal of the season.

Both goalies picked up their play in the second and third. Crawford stopped 25 shots for the win. The netminder kept the Hogs in the game as they faced eight Griffins power plays, holding them off the board throughout.

"It was hard. Everything we had to do was hard," Peters said. "We didn't make real quick plays and didn't execute all that well. But they stuck with it and did a good job."

Larsson stopped 27 shots in the losing effort. Rockford was without a power-play goal in three power-play attempts.

After a quiet final 40 minutes of regulation, Defenseman Brian Connelly found the back of the net at 1:39 into overtime from the point with helpers from Kyle Greentree and Jake Dowell. The blast bounced off a Grand Rapids stick and into the goal.

It was the rookie's fourth goal of the season.

Next Home Game: Friday, Feb. 19 vs. San Antonio Rampage: Game time is 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs baseball hat courtesy of WXRX and 23-WIFR.

HOGS FALL 3-2 TO ADMIRALS, SPLIT WEEKEND SERIES

Hogs split weekend series with Milwaukee, each winning on the road

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs took one from the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday on the road, but gave it back on Saturday, falling 3-2 at the Rockford MetroCentre.

"Our passes were off and we weren't picking up passes," said winger Danny Bois. "The effort was there but the execution was just not there tonight."

Bois deflected the puck off of a Milwaukee player from behind the net with Mark Dekanich out of position at 2:27 in the first period to put the Hogs up early. Jake Dowell and Brian Connelly had the assists.

The Admirals responded when Peter Olvecky found Chris Mueller streaking towards the net and he slapped the puck past Corey Crawford at 15:52. Wacey Rabbit also figured in on the play with an assist.

Then they followed it up with two more in the second to take a 3-1 lead. Mueller posted his second of the game at 6:38 to give Milwaukee a 2-1 lead. Assists came from Olvecky and Reid Cashman.

Mike Santorelli picked up a turnover in the neutral zone and slipped it under Crawford unassisted on a breakaway at 14:43.

But Evan Brophey made it 3-2 with a deflection goal near the crease on a power play at 17:44 with helpers from Pete MacArthur and Matt Keith.

The Hogs finished the first two frames with just four shots in the first and five shots in the second. But both teams had some good opportunities in the third period without any result on the scoreboard.

"In the third period, we played pretty well -- deperate," Bois said. "But I think you can just chalk it up to one of those nights. In the third period we played good enough to win, but we didn't play like that in the first two periods."

Rockford was 1-for-3 on the power play, while Milwaukee was 1-for-4. Crawford had 30 saves in the loss and Dekanich had 22 saves to pick up a win.

Next Home Game: Monday, Feb. 15 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins: The puck drops at 2:05 p.m. It’s a Kids' Day Game presented by Best Buy and also sponsored by the Rock River Chapter of the American Red Cross and FOX 39. All fans in attendance will receive a goalie mask replica. All kids 14 and under can purchase $5 tickets and the IceHogs along with Best Buy will be giving 10 game systems including five Wiis and five Playstation 3s. All high school and college students with a valid student ID can purchase the best available seat for just $10 at the MetroCentre's Box Office up to one hour prior to the game with the WXRX Student Rush program.

ROCKFORD DOUBLES UP MILWAUKEE 4-2

Hogs take front end of home-and-home series

Milwaukee, Wis.- Beginning a crucial stretch of games against the Milwaukee Admirals, the Rockford IceHogs took the front end of a home-and-home set with their West Division rivals 4-2 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee.

With the win Rockford stays atop the West Division and Friday’s game marked the beginning of a stretch of four of seven contests for the IceHogs against the Admirals.

Evan Brophey gave Rockford a 1-0 first period lead with his tenth goal of the season at 8:34. Brophey, camped out in front of Chet Pickard, redirected a Daryl Boyle point shot in past the Admirals goalie.

Milwaukee tied the game late in the first frame when Tristan Grant tipped in a shot through traffic. Jonathan Blum sent a slap shot in front of the Rockford goal and Grant got a stick on it and the puck snuck past Corey Crawford at 17:39 for his ninth goal of the season.

In the second period Rockford’s power play put them back on top. Bracken Kearns dug a puck out from behind the Admirals goal and found Kyle Greentree in front, who then slipped in his team leading 21st goal of the season at 5:35.

Jake Dowell later made the score 3-1 when he cleaned up a Klinkhammer rebound in the Milwaukee zone. On a two-on-one breakaway, Pickard turned away Klinkhammer’s initial chance, but Dowell was there to flip in his sixth goal of the year at 13:46.

Hugh Jessiman reduced Rockford’s lead to one in the third period. After an IceHogs turnover in their own end, Jessiman worked a shot around Crawford at 3:40 for his 14 goal of the season, making the score 3-2.

With Pickard pulled, Rockford would put the game out of reach when defenseman Richard Petiot out skated the Admirals defense and wrapped in this fourth goal of the season into the Admirals empty net at 19:44.

Crawford earned the win making 27 saves while Pickard made 28 in the loss. Rockford held Milwaukee to 0-5 on the power play while converting one of three advantages of their own.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 13 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans to the MetroCentre will pick up a Mr. Potato Head courtesy of Frito Lay and Q98.5. For tickets call (815) 968-5222, on-line at www.metrocentre.com or in person at the MetroCentre Box Office or Hog Headquarters inside CherryVale Mall.

EARLY DEFICIT TOO MUCH FOR ROCKFORD

Cleveland, Ohio- For the second straight game the Rockford IceHogs came staggering out of the gate in Lake Erie. This time, however, it cost Rockford as they couldn’t overcome a 3-0 hole leading to a 5-3 defeat to the Monsters at the Quicken Loans Arena.

The loss ends Rockford’s four-game winning streak and six game road point streak.

Lake Erie posted two early first period goals to grab control of the frame. Travis Gawryletz put the Monsters on the board at 7:55 when he fired a shot over Joe Fallon’s blocker for his second goal of the season.

T.J. Hensick moved the Monsters advantage to 2-0 when he knocked in a Darren Haydar centering pass on a two-on-one breakaway at 9:22 for his 11th goal of the campaign. The transition started after Rockford failed to convert an odd man rush in the Lake Erie zone.

The IceHogs were outshot 11-1 in the opening frame and managed just five shots on goal in two first periods played in Lake Erie on the weekend.

Period two didn’t start out much better for Rockford as Hensick would make it 3-0. The Monsters winger picked up a Haydar pass, outskated the IceHogs defense and beat Fallon on a breakaway for his second goal of the afternoon just :32 into the second frame.

Adam Hobson later put Rockford on the board at 7:54, cutting the deficit to two. Hobson picked up an Akim Aliu drop pass in the Monsters zone and beat Billy Sauer far post for his second goal of the season.

Pete MacArthur made it a one-goal game when he outworked Hensick in the Lake Erie corner and stepped out in front of Sauer and wrapped his fifth goal of the season in at 9:37.

Lake Erie restored their two-goal cushion at 13:50. Matthew Ford controlled a rebound from a Gawryletz shot and swiped in his 11th goal of the campaign, making it 4-2.

But Rockford responded :17 later to get the game back down to one goal. Bryan Bickell set Kyle Greentree up in the slot and the winger tallied his team-leading 20th goal of the season at 14:07 reducing the Monsters lead to 4-3 heading into the second intermission.

In the third period Rockford had some opportunities on Sauer but couldn’t find the back of the net. The Monsters iced the game when Haydar dumped in an empty net goal at 19:23.

Fallon was saddled with the loss after making 19 saves in two periods of hockey. Corey Crawford replaced him in the third period and stopped all seven shots he faced. Rockford managed 18 shots on Sauer and the Monsters backstop turned away 15 of them.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 13 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans to the MetroCentre will pick up a Mr. Potato Head courtesy of Frito Lay and Q98.5. For tickets call (815) 968-5222, on-line at www.metrocentre.com or in person at the MetroCentre Box Office or Hog Headquarters inside CherryVale Mall.

BIG THIRD PERIOD LIFTS ICEHOGS OVER MONSTERS

Petiot has three points in 5-3 win

Cleveland, Ohio- Three third period goals erased a slow start for the Rockford IceHogs on Friday night and they knocked off the Lake Erie Monsters 5-3 at the Quicken Loans Arena.

The win extended Rockford’s season best road point streak to six straight games (5-0-0-1) and helped them keep pace in the wild West Division.

Lake Erie came out in the opening period and dominated the first ten minutes of the contest. Mike Bartlett culminated the solid start when he slipped his fifth goal of the season underneath Corey Crawford at 8:36 for the frame’s only goal.

Richard Petiot tied it for Rockford in the second period. The d-man picked up a face off win from Bracken Kearns after a Lake Erie icing and blasted his third goal of the season over the glove of Tyler Weiman at 4:30.

Later in the period the Monsters converted on their third power-play chance of the night. Camped out in front of Crawford, Randy Rowe redirected a Tom Preissing slapper from the point and in at 11:18 giving Lake Erie the 2-1 advantage.

But Bryan Bickell and the IceHogs responded just 24 seconds later to tie the game at two. Kyle Greentree led Bickell on a two-on-two rush and Bickell knocked his 11th goal of the year into an open Lake Erie goal at 11:42.

Rockford grabbed their first lead of the night in the third period. Petiot knocked down a Lake Erie clear out pass and found Greentree streaking to the net and the IceHogs leading goal scorer snuck his 19th goal of the season past Weiman three minutes into the third.

Rowe countered with his second marker of the night for the Monsters at 7:56 tying the game once again. Brian Willsie dug the puck out from behind the IceHogs goal and fed it on the wing to Rowe who slipped his second of the season past Crawford.

Matt Keith would put Rockford up for good at 12:57 of the final period while Rockford skated on the power play. Pete MacArthur found Keith in the slot and winger sniped his 11th goal of the season just over the right should of Weiman for the eventual game winner.

Danny Bois would seal it for Rockford when he fired home an empty-net shorthanded tally at 19:43.

Petiot finished the night with a season best three points (1g-2a) and Rockford remained perfect at the Quicken Loans Arena, now 5-0-0-0 there all-time. They’ll be back there Saturday for the back-end of two straight against the Monsters.

Crawford faced 26 shots and blocked 23 of them to earn his 13th win of the campaign. Weiman saw 22 Rockford shots and made 18 saves in the loss.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 13 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans to the MetroCentre will pick up a Mr. Potato Head courtesy of Frito Lay and Q98.5. For tickets call (815) 968-5222, on-line at www.metrocentre.com or in person at the MetroCentre Box Office or Hog Headquarters inside CherryVale Mall.