CRAWFORD WINS THE GOALTENDING BATTLE IN PEORIA

Hogs squeeze out 2-1 shootout win

Peoria, Ill.- Goals were tough to come by on Friday night in Peoria, but it was the IceHogs outlasting the Rivermen 2-1 in a shootout to keep its lead atop the West Division. Corey Crawford and Chris Beckford-Tseu battled in net matching one another save-for-save at the Peoria Civic Center.

After a scoreless first 40 minutes, Hogs winger Bryan Bickell broke the stalemate when he snuck his 12th goal of the season past Beckford-Tseu 1:26 into the third frame. Ryan Stokes and Derek Nesbitt helped out with the marker.

The lead wouldn’t last, however, as the Rivermen tied it midway through the final period. In transition, Yan Stastny flipped in a nifty pass from Nikolay Lemtyugov, beating Crawford at 9:01. Steve Wagner also assisted on the goal.

After a scoreless overtime, Rockford received goals from Petri Kontiola (round one) and Kris Versteeg (round four) to grab the extra point. The only blemish on Crawford’s shootout record was in the third round when Nicholas Drazenovic snuck one past the Hogs puck stopper.

In a fast paced and physical first period, the IceHogs and Rivermen are scoreless. The Hogs were outshot 16-10 and both Crawford and Beckford-Tseu were solid between the pipes.

The second frame was more of the same as the scoring chances were limited and once again the goalies were solid. For the second straight frame Rockford was outshot, this time 12-7.

The IceHogs extended its franchise record streak of games on the road without a regulation loss to 14 and Crawford won his season high fifth straight away from home turning away 38 Peoria shots.

Next Home Game: Tuesday, Feb. vs. Houston. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Hogs return home to open a three-game home stand when the Aeros return to Rockford to battle the IceHogs. Come and celebrate Mardi Gras with the IceHogs.