HAYES HANGS TWO AS HOGS FALL TO PENS

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Former IceHogs forward Jimmy Hayes scored twice and Tristan Jarry made 33 saves as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins downed the Rockford IceHogs, 4-1, Sunday afternoon at Mohegan Sun Arena. The loss capped Rockford’s recent point streak at four games.

Luke Johnson tallied Rockford’s lone goal in the contest. With the IceHogs trailing, 1-0, in the opening frame, Johnson fired a wrister from the high slot past Jarry’s glove side to draw Rockford even.

The Penguins regained control in the second stanza as Hayes potted back-to-back goals. The forward put Wilkes-Barre/Scranton back in the lead 5:45 into the frame on a bad-angled shot that deflected off a Rockford defenseman. Then he provided some insurance later in the period with a one-timer from the right dot that beat IceHogs goaltender Kevin Lankinen through a screen.

The IceHogs outshot the Penguins, 12-6, in the final period, but were unable to pierce Jarry. Adam Johnson iced the game for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with an empty netter in the game’s waning minutes.

The IceHogs return to divisional play Tuesday night against the Chicago Wolves as they seek to keep pace in the ever-tightening Central Division playoff race.

Next Home Game: March 1 vs. Grand Rapids | 7 p.m.
The Rockford IceHogs return home to host the Grand Rapids Griffins on Country Night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The first 1,500 fans to arrive will receive a FREE bandana, thanks to Texas Roadhouse.