ICEHOGS HOLD ON TO 2-1 WIN

Rockford, Ill. – The Rockford IceHogs put their penalty kill unit to the test on Friday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center and the team passed that test, killing off eight-of-nine Houston Aeros power play chances to take a 2-1 win.

After a blank frame for both teams in the first period, Kyle Beach got things going right away in the second. Ryan Stanton fired a shot that Matt Hackett turned away but Beach was at the door step to pound it home to give Rockford a 1-0 lead.

Five minutes later, Ben Smith increased the lead. Brandon Pirri set Smith up to light the lamp with a great pass from the left faceoff circle and Smith wristed the puck to the back of the net to put the Hogs up 2-0.

Heading into the final frame, the Hogs had already killed off six penalties, including two 5-on-3 man-advantages for Houston.

Houston finally cashed in to pull back within a goal as they converted on their eighth man advantage of the night. Kris Foucault passed across the Rockford zone to Nick Palmieri, who one-timed a slap shot from the blue line and past Carter Hutton to cut the lead in half 2-1 at the 3:38 mark in the third period.

Rockford committed just one more penalty for the rest of the game and were able to hold off the Aeros for a 2-1 victory.

Hutton rejected 22 Houston shots to earn the win, while Hackett blocked 22 chances for the Aeros.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Nov. 21 vs. Peoria Rivermen. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve is another WXRX Dollar Day as fans can kick off their holiday weekend with $1 beers, hot dogs, soft drinks and companion tickets.