DEFENSEMEN GET OFFENSIVE IN HOUSTON

Rockford drops a 3-2 contest against the Aeros

Houston Tex.- There were five goals scored on Saturday night at the Toyota Center and all five were scored by defenseman. Unfortunately for the Rockford IceHogs the Houston Aeros d-men outscored the Hogs blue liners 3-2.

Unlike Thursday when Rockford jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, the Aeros where the ones doing the early lamp lighting. Just 30 seconds into the game defenseman Clayton Stoner fired his third goal of the season past Wade Flaherty for the early 1-0 advantage.

Then at 4:09 of the period defenseman Brandon Rogers chased Flaherty from the game when he slid his second marker of the season in off of a Cal Clutterbuck pass to make it 2-0 Aeros.

Rockford got a goal back with a power-play marker. Martin St. Pierre found a streaking Justin Fletcher and Fletcher chipped in his third goal of the season at 8:19 of the frame.

In the second period Houston extended its lead back to two goals with a power-play marker. Rogers blasted a Rosa pass past Mike Brodeur at 13:53 for his second of the night to make the score 3-1.

In the third frame, defenseman Tyson Marsh potted his first career AHL goal. On a delayed penalty, Marsh blasted a shot from the point and it deflected past Barry Brust at 15:53.

Rockford, however, couldn’t muster any more offense in the final four minutes and the Aeros held on for the win.

Brodeur was saddled with the loss after relieving Flaherty with 19 saves. Brust made 25 saves in the win. The Hogs and Aeros
finish the season series 3-3-0-0.

Next Home Game: Friday, Match 21 vs. Quad City Flames. Game time is slated or 7:30 p.m. The Hogs meet up with the Flames for the final MetroCentre meeting of the season. The IceHogs, along with Comcast, welcome SpongeBob SquarePants to the game. Kids can meet and take pictures with the popular Nickelodeon cartoon character.