HOGS LATE PUSH FALLS SHORT, ROCKFORD FALLS 4-2

IceHogs unbeaten streak ends at six in first ever loss to San Antonio (5-1-0-2)

Rockford, Ill.- The combination of wingers Jack Skille and Pascal Pelletier is quickly becoming one of the most lethal in the American Hockey League, but the Rockford IceHogs couldn't pull off a win against the San Antonio Rampage on Tuesday at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Skille scored first for Rockford at 15:23 in the second frame. Pascal Pelletier was credited with an assist. Then at 8:08 in the third period, Skille found Pelletier to make the score 3-2 on a long 5-on-3 for the IceHogs. Danny Groulx was credited with the assist.

"We have to show up for the full 60 minutes, not just the last half like we did tonight," Skille said. "In the first period and first half of the second period, we were just kind of slow and then they scored a goal and it was somewhat of a wake-up call."

But that was all the offense the IceHogs could muster after San Antonio took a 3-0 lead to start the game. The Rampage took advantage of their first two power plays to take an early lead. In the first, Joel Perrault picked the corner of the goal on a power play at 3:28 in the first period. Dylan Reese and David Spina were credited with the assists.

"Tonight was an opportunity to get two points and we let it slip through our hands," Skille said. "They're obviously a better team than the last time and they took it to us. Kudos to them."

In the second frame, Spina pushed the puck under Corey Crawford just 18 seconds into the power play and 37 seconds into the period to take a 2-0 lead. Perrault and Chad Kolarik had the helpers.

Then Alex Bourret added an insurance marker at 12:45 in the second with help from Derek Nesbitt and Reese.

Perrault added an empty-net goal with 11 seconds left in the game.

Crawford took a rare regulation loss with 25 saves, while Josh Tordjman had 20 saves to bring his record to 14-14-1 after starting the season 1-10-1. Rockford's power play converted on one of five opportunities, while San Antonio was 2-for-2 on the man advantage.

Next Home Game: Friday, Jan. 16 vs. Chicago Wolves. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. For the final time this season, the Wolves come to Rockford. The first 1,000 fans 21-and older to the game on Friday will pick up an IceHogs Jersey Koozie presented by Bud Light and the Eagle 96.7 FM.