HOGS BLANKED BY HOUSTON

Rockford held off of score sheet, fall to Aeros 2-0

Rockford, Ill. – Scoring hasn't been much of an issue for the Rockford IceHogs this season, averaging over three goals per game, however Saturday night the Hogs were shutout by the Houston Aeros at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Houston was able to crack the scoring with just seven seconds remaining in the opening frame. A Ben Youds pass was intercepted by Jason Zucker, starting a 2-on-0 rush. Zucker skated in and found Johan Larsson, who deked home a goal past IceHogs netminder Henrik Karlsson.

Neither squad could find the back of net in the second, with Rockford firing 15 shots on goal and Karlsson turning away 12 Aeros shot attempts.

In the third, the Aeros bumped their lead to two at the 15:12 mark. Justin Fontaine swiped the puck out from behind the IceHogs net and found David McIntyre open in front of Karlsson to give Houston the 2-0 lead, the eventual final score.

Rockford fired 38 shots on Houston Aeros netminder Darcy Kuemper, but the stingy goaltender excused each shot to earn his fourth shutout of the season in 16 games.

The Hogs were unsuccessful on two power play attempts, but managed to kill off all three of Houston's man-advantage opportunities.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 16 vs. Abbotsford Heat. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans (21 and older) into the building will pick up an IceHogs floppy hat courtesy of Bud Light. The game is the second of four against Abbotsford on the season.