HIGHMORE, DAHLSTROM COMBINE FOR 3 POINTS IN ALL-STAR CHALLENGE

UTICA, N.Y. – Matthew Highmore scored in the opening game, and Carl Dahlstrom notched two assists in the following contest as the Central Division finished 0-3 at the 2018 AHL All-Star Challenge at the Adirondack Bank Center Monday night.

Highmore, who finished with the second-fastest time in last night’s Fastest Skater comptetion, tallied his goal off of a pass from the Chicago Wolves’ T.J. Tynan to level the score early in the Central’s first game against the Atlantic Division. Highmore is currently Rockford’s leading goal-scorer with 18 markers this season.

Dahlstrom, Rockford’s leader in assists, then earned a pair of helpers on two goals from Grand Rapids Griffins forward Matt Lorito goals in the team’s second matchup.

Despite the contributions from the pair of IceHogs, the Central dropped each of its three games against the Atlantic (5-2), North (4-2) and Pacific (4-3).

The host North Division took the round-robin tournament title against the Pacific Division with a 1-0 shutout victory. The Rochester Americans’ C.J. Smith was named Most Valuable Player in the tournament with 3g-2a-5pts through his team’s four games.

Dahlstrom and Highmore will now rejoin the IceHogs as the team prepares to return to action on Friday night against the Manitoba Moose.

Next Home Game: Friday, Feb. 2 | Rockford vs Manitoba Moose (7 p.m.)
The IceHogs take on the Central Division-leading Manitoba Moose on Friday, Feb. 2 for Jake Smolinski bobblehead night. Puck drop is at 7 p.m., and the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a free bobblehead of Oakland Athletics outfielder and Rockford native, Jake Smolinski. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.