Rockford, Ill. – In his first professional game, Matheson Iacopelli scored his first professional goal and what proved to be the game-winner to boost the Rockford IceHogs to a 3-1 victory over the Texas Stars Friday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center.
Iacopelli found the back of the net off a pass from Michael Latta and Evan Mosey when his one-time drive beat Stars goaltender Justin Peters at the 9:21 mark in the third frame.
After Texas scored on a penalty shot from Caleb Herbert in the opening period, IceHogs forward Brandon Mashinter put the IceHogs on the board just 35 seconds into the middle frame on a man-advantage to tie the contest 1-1.
Rockford goalie Lars Johansson stopped each of Texas' remaining 29 shots in the victory.
Captain Jake Dowell then tapped in a shorthanded empty-netter with 21.1 seconds remaining in the final period to boost the IceHogs to a two-goal advantage and secure a 3-1 win.
Next Home Game: Saturday, April 1 vs. Grand Rapids, 7 p.m. The IceHogs have partnered with Special Olympics Illinois for the team’s 18th Annual Jersey Auction game night, compliments of Insurance King. The 2017 theme features Hammy in motley, a court-jester theme associated with the spirit of April Fools’ Day, fans can bid on the game-worn sweaters via live auction following Saturday’s game.