HOGS UNABLE TO STOP ADMIRALS LATE CHARGE

Rockford falls 3-1 to Milwaukee

Rockford, Ill. – It took nearly two periods but once the Milwaukee Admirals were finally able to solve goaltender Kent Simpson, the Rockford IceHogs couldn’t stop the Ads offense, dropping a 3-1 game to their Midwest Division rival.

The IceHogs got the scoring started 11:24 into the game to take an early 1-0 lead. Just after killing off a penalty of their own, the Hogs were rewarded with a power play and took advantage. Defenseman Brett Skinner fired a shot from the blueline that Ads goaltender Scott Darling blocked but Joakim Nordstrom cleaned up the rebound for his eighth goal of the season.

Milwaukee finally got on the board with 50 seconds remaining in the second period to tie the game up at 1-1. Colton Sissons sent a puck that Simpson kicked away, but it was right to the stick of Miikka Salomaki and he sent it to the back of cage.

The Admirals picked up right were they left off in the second period and scored on a long shot from the blueline by Scott Ford to put the Admirals up 2-1 just 58 seconds into the third period.

After a slew of penalties for both teams in the middle of the second period, Milwaukee’s Simon Moser put the puck into the back of the net with just eight seconds left on an Admirals power play after the IceHogs were unable to clear the zone at 11:36.

Darling was magnificent all game and earned the win after making 34 saves to outduel Simpson, who blocked 28 Milwaukee shots. The loss ended Rockford’s season long four-game home winning streak.

Next Home Game: Friday, Dec. 27 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins. Puck drop is 7 p.m. when the IceHogs battle the top team in the Midwest Division.For tickets, viait IceHogs.com, call 815-968-522 or in person at the BMO Harris Bank Cente box Office or any Ticketmaster location.