Cedar Park, TX- The Rockford IceHogs (8-8-1-1) are back in action tonight against the Texas Stars (4-8-2-0) after a dramatic comeback victory last night to open the weekend series. Aidan Thompson was the overtime hero when he beat Stars' goalie Remi Poirier at the 2:37 mark of the extra period. 

The Matchup: 

2025-26 Season series: 2-0-0-1

Last Time Out: The IceHogs took the first game of the weekend series with a 4-3 overtime win Friday night in Cedar Park. Texas would take a 2-0 lead with a pair of goals in the middle period before Rockford erupted for three goals in the final period. Nick Lardis scored a pair of power play goals before Nolan Allan gave Rockford a brief lead late in the third. The Stars would tie the game moments later to send the two rivals into their third overtime in as many meetings. Thompson would score his fifth goal of the season at the 2:37 mark of the overtime period to give the snap the IceHogs' four-game skid. Drew Commesso made 26 saves to pick up his fifth win of the season. 

Three Things To Know:

In the Nick of Time: Rockford forward Nick Lardis made his return to the IceHogs lineup Friday night after missing the previous two games. Lardis would open the Rockford scoring on the power play at the 4:06 mark of the third period and later tie the game with another power play goal at 9:04 of the third. Lardis, who had 25 power play goals with the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL last season, now leads the IceHogs with four power play goals. With his two points Friday night, Lardis is back atop the AHL rookie leaderboard with 16 points (7g, 9a). 

Special Teams Victory: Rockford's special teams was the difference in Friday nights 4-3 win over the Stars, factoring in on all three regulation goals. Lardis' pair of power play goals helped the IceHogs tie the game and gain momentum for a power play that has recently struggled to find the back of the net. The two power play goal outing was the first time the IceHogs tallied multiple power play goals since 10/18 against the Chicago Wolves. The penalty kill posted a perfect 4/4 performance and a short handed goal from Nolan Allan late in regulation. 

Overtime Hero: Aidan Thompson tallied his first pro game winning goal with his overtime tally Friday night. The 2024 NCAA Champion has goals in two of his last three games and is settling in during his first full season in Rockford. Thompson, 23, has collected nine points (5g, 4a) in 18 games this season. The University of Denver product skated in four games at the end of the regular season with Rockford before scoring four points (2g, 2a) in seven post-season games last spring. Thompson currently ranks 5th in scoring among active skaters with the IceHogs. 

2025-26 Matchups:

The IceHogs are back at the BMO Center Wednesday, November 26 against the Chicago Wolves for another 'Wet Your Whistle Wednesday.