HOGS RETURN HOME ON WINNING STREAK
Beach's two goals leads Hogs over Rivermen 4-2
Peoria, Ill.- Fortunes can change pretty quick in hockey and the Rockford IceHogs are returning home with a winning streak. The IceHogs ended a four-game road swing Friday with a 4-3 win over the Peoria Rivermen at Caver Arena.
After dropping six straight contests before Tuesday's 5-4 shootout win in Texas, the Hogs have now won back-to-back games.
Peoria snagged the first goal on Friday while skating on a power play. Mark Cundari's point shot went wide of the Rockford goal, but the rebound bounced in front where Chris Porter buried his fourth goal of the season at 10:30.
Jeremy Morin tied it for Rockford at 17:16. Terry Broadhurst found Morin in front of Mike McKenna and the Rivermen net and the winger knocked in his 16th goal of the season , making it 1-1 at the first intermission.
A Rockford power play in the second period produced a pair of goals. Peoria got the first one short handed when Tyler Shattock picked up a loose puck and beat Henrik Karlsson on a breakaway at 9:51.
But Rockford came right back to tie it at 2-2. Kyle Beach batted in a rebound off of a Brad Mills attempt at 10:16 for his 11th goal on the campaign.
Jimmy Hayes gave Rockford their first lead of the night 2:26 into the third period. Hayes picked up a Morin drop pass and beat McKenna under the blocker for his 15th goal of the season. Broadhurst figured in on his second assist the game.
Beach gave Rockford some insurance late in the third period when Brandon Pirri set him up in the slot and the winger blasted home his second marker of the night at 15:13.
Karlsson earned his second straight win, making 26 saves while McKenna was dealt the loss after 27 stops.
Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 9 vs. Houston Aeros. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans to the game will pick up a Colin Fraser Bobblehands figurine courtesy of Gatorade, recognizing the first former IceHogs skater to win two Stanley Cups.