HOGS, STARS FOLLOW SAME SCRIPT IN REVERSE

Skille, Fraser and Marsh all score as Hogs magic number falls to six

Rockford, Ill.- Almost like looking in a mirror.

Down by one, the Rockford IceHogs responded with three goals against the Iowa Stars in rapid succession to move two points closer to the 2008 Calder Cup playoffs on Sunday at the Rockford MetroCentre.

The Stars cut the lead in half, but couldn't close the deal as the Hogs won 3-2.

On Saturday, the Iowa Stars were down 2-1 when they scored three in a row in the third period in Des Moines. Later in the third, the Stars let one in to win 4-3.

Sunday's scoring started with a rebound shot from Tommy Wandell at 5:09 in the second period. A James Neal shot bounced off Corey Crawford's pad while on a four-on-two breakaway and right to Wandell's stick. The center shot it past Crawford with the netminder committed on the other side of the net to make the score 1-0.

Wade Flaherty started the game, but left after 8:27 with an upper body injury. He's listed as day-to-day.

Just 44 seconds into the third period, Rockford defenseman Tyson Marsh shot the puck past Matt Climie in his second career professional start to tie the game at one to start Rockford’s offense barrage. Derek Nesbitt and Jack Skille recorded the assists.

And the Hogs did not let up. Colin Fraser redirected a pass from Petri Kontiola right outside the crease at 3:34 in the third for the Hogs' second score on the power play.

Less than two minutes later, Skille topped the scoring off with a shot that beat Climie short-side at 5:09. Kontiola and Nesbitt had the helpers.

Iowa cut into the Rockford lead when Pertu Lindgren fired his eighth goal of the season over Crawford at 13:48 making it 4-3.

Crawford had 24 saves. It was his first win since returning from the Chicago Blackhawks on March 16. Matt Climie took the loss in his second career professional start with 20 saves.

Next Home Game: Saturday, April 5 vs. San Antonio Rampage. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs meet the Rampage in a key West Division showdown. Saturday marks the IceHogs Annual Jersey Auction for charity. The Hogs will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off following the game with all proceeds benefiting the IceHogs Charitable Foundation. The first 1,000 fans to the game will pick up an IceHogs Jersey Auction T-shirt courtesy of Saturn of Rockford, Dental Dimensions, Alpha Controls & Services, and 13 WREX.