FORSBERG SLAMS DOOR ON PENGUINS AS HOGS WIN FIFTH STRAIGHT

Rockford, Ill. - Roscoe native Josh McArdle scored his first AHL goal and Anton Forsberg made 45 saves as the Rockford IceHogs downed the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 2-1, Wednesday night at BMO Harris Bank Center. The win extended Rockford’s season-long winning streak to five games.

All of the offense in the contest came in the opening frame. McArdle started the scoring at the 1:42 mark, firing home a shot from the high slot after a scramble in front of the net.

Jarrett Burton responded for the Penguins just over a minute after the McArdle tally, but a 5-on-3 power play gave the IceHogs the chance to answer back later in the stanza. With the IceHogs on the two-man advantage, Luke Johnson fired home what proved to be the game-winner on a one-timer from the left side after a backdoor feed from Dylan Sikura.

The IceHogs were able to protect their one-goal lead for the final two periods thanks to a stout performance in net from Forsberg. The netminder’s 45 saves on the night were just four shy of his season high set on Dec. 15 against the Texas Stars. Forsberg has allowed just four goals over his last three starts, boasting a 1.33 GAA and a .963 save percentage over that span.

Next Home Game | Fri. Feb. 8, 7 p.m. vs. Tucson Roadrunners
The IceHogs take on the Tucson Roadrunners this Friday at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The first 1,000 fans through the doors aged 21-and-up will receive a free IceHogs grill brush, courtesy of Bud Light.