HOGS NAB POINT AGAINST STREAKING BEARS

Hershey, Pa. - Peter Holland scored his first Rockford goal and the IceHogs extended their point streak to four games, but the Hershey Bears pulled through in the shootout to defeat the IceHogs, 3-2, Saturday night at Giant Center.

Holland opened the scoring on the power play just 1:21 into the contest, collecting a pass from Henri Jokiharju and firing a point shot past the glove hand of Hershey goaltender Ilya Samsonov. The veteran forward now has three points in his first two games with the IceHogs and ranks fourth in the AHL with 52 total points this year.

Defenseman Ryan Sproul responded for the Bears later in the first, but Jacob Nilsson pulled Rockford back in front with 2:15 remaining in the frame. Anthony Louis delivered a drop pass to Nilsson while skating down the left wing, then Nilsson blasted home a one-timer to Samsonov’s glove side.

After a scoreless second, Hershey drew even in the opening stages of the third stanza. The teams exchanged chances for the remainder of regulation and the IceHogs outshot Hershey, 3-0, in the 3-on-3 overtime session, but both goalies held strong and the game would be settled in the shootout.

Riley Barber and Nathan Walker provided the Bears’ shootout markers, while Jordan Schroeder converted for Rockford. Anthony Louis’ final attempt to extend the game was foiled by a Samsonov poke check.

The tightly-contested decision extended Hershey’s point streak to 17 games, the longest of any AHL team this year. The shootout loss gives Rockford points in 10 of its last 12 contests.

Next Home Game: March 1 vs. Grand Rapids | 7 p.m.
The Rockford IceHogs return home to host the Grand Rapids Griffins on Country Night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The first 1,500 fans to arrive will receive a FREE bandana, thanks to Texas Roadhouse.