HOGS HANG AROUND LATE BEFORE COMING UP JUST SHORT AGAINST STARS

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Victor Ejdsell netted a goal with just over three minutes remaining in the third, but the Rockford IceHogs’ late comeback fell just short in a 3-2 loss to the Texas Stars Tuesday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

With the Hogs trailing 3-1, Jacob Nilsson skated through the left circle and sent a centering feed to Ejdsell. The rookie forward one-timed the puck past Philippe Desrosiers to bring the IceHogs within one goal.

However, Desrosiers stood tall the remainder of the way to finish with 28 saves on 30 shots and snap a personal three-game losing streak. His counterpart, Kevin Lankinen, made 28 stops of his own while snapping a three-game winning streak with the defeat.

The two teams initially swapped blows in the early goings Tuesday. Michael Mersh began his three-point night with a goal at 17:10 in the first period. Rockford then matched the marker early in the second period on Jacob Nilsson’s team high-tying 13th goal of the season. The forward found the puck on a rebound on the power play and deposited it behind Desrosiers to draw the IceHogs even with Texas at 1-1.

Travis Morin cashed in on a rebound in front of Lankinen in the second period for his fourth point of the series (2g, 2a) to give the Stars a 2-1 lead.

Joel L'Esperance then potted the game-winner for Texas with a power-play marker just over three minutes into the third period. His decisive blow was set up with a fortunate bounce off a shot from Mersch.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 16 vs. Iowa | 6 p.m.
The IceHogs’ six-game homestand rolls on with a Saturday showdown against the Iowa Wild. Saturday is Super Hero Night, and fans are invited to dress as their favorite super/comic book hero for the contest. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a free Super Hammy bobblehead, courtesy of Rock Valley Culligan.