HOGS DROP TIGHT 2-1 PRESEASON FINALE

Rockford, Ill. – In their preseason finale the Rockford IceHogs were able to work on all phases of a game but unable to come away with a victory, dropping a close 2-1 game in a shootout to the Milwaukee Admirals at the Kern Center in Milwaukee.

After a scoreless first period in which IceHogs goaltender Antti Raanta stopped all 10 shots he faced, Milwaukee finally solved him while shorthanded with 32 seconds remaining in the middle frame. Mark Van Guilder fed Charles-Oliver Roussel for a one-timer that found the back of the net to give the Admirals a 1-0 lead.

Then, with the IceHogs on a power play to begin the final frame, Brad Winchester finished of a nice series of passes from Adam Clendening and Alex Broadhurst to tie the score at 1-1.

Both Raanta and Milwaukee’s Magnus Hellberg held strong in net the rest of the way, forcing a shootout. The goaltending duel continued in the skills session until Mathieu Tousignant slipped the puck by Raanta in the tenth round to give Milwaukee the win.

The IceHogs will now travel to San Antonio on Saturday, Oct. 5 for their season opener against the Rampage.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Oct. 19 vs. Grand Rapids. Game time is 7 p.m. Rockford opens the home portion of their regular season schedule against the Griffins. The first 5,000 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs calendar courtesy of Stateline Staffing Services. For tickets, call (815) 968-5222, online through IceHogs.com or in person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office or at any Ticketmaster outlet.