HUTTON SOLID AGAIN, BUT HOGS FALL 2-1

Backstop makes 32 saves in loss to Rivermen

Peoria, Ill.- The recipe for success in hockey usually contains a good start, strong penalty kill and good goaltending. The Rockford IceHogs got all three on Friday night, but fell 2-1 to the Peoria Rivermen at Carver Arena.

Carter Hutton was sharp again, making 32 stops, including several highlight film saves to keep Rockford in the contest. Rockford held Peoria to 0-6 on the man advantage and have not allowed a power play goal on 18 shorthanded situations.

The problem is, the IceHogs don't have any wins to show for it through three games (0-2-0-1).

Rockford didn't waste any time hoping on the board on Friday. Brandon Pirri found Peter LeBlanc in the slot and the winger beat Jake Allen for his first goal of the season at 1:57.

Hutton was tested 12 times in the first period and stopped all 12 Peoria shots on goal.

In the second frame, Peoria tied the score 1-1. T.J. Hensick picked up a Derek Nesbitt pass in the slot and fired his second goal of the season over the shoulder of Hutton at 12:40.

That same line combination hooked up later in the second period to give Peoria a 2-1 lead. After Rockford failed to clear the puck out of their zone, Jaden Schwartz picked up a fanned Nesbitt shot and slipped his first goal of the season under Hutton at 16:13.

That's all Allen and the Rivermen needed to knock off Rockford. The IceHogs, like Peoria, finished 0-6 on the power play in the loss.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Oct. 20 vs. Charlotte Checkers. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs open the home portion of their regular season slate against the Checkers at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The first 5,000 fans to the game will pick up an IceHogs “It All Starts Here” calendar.