IceHogs Shine in Magic Third Period Comeback for Season Opening Overtime 5-4 Victory Against Moose

Down 0-3 heading into the third period, the Rockford IceHogs leaned on three-point, third-period performances from Lukas Reichel and Luke Philp for a 5-4 comeback overtime victory over the Manitoba Moose Saturday afternoon at Canada Life Centre to open the 2022-23 season.

The Moose exploded in the first two minutes of the opening period with a one-timer shot from Leon Gawanke. IceHogs goaltender Arvid Soderblom was blinded by traffic in front of him as Gawanke’s shot flew over his right shoulder to find the back of the net. The pace settled after the initial score and featured close shots from IceHogs forwards Bobby Lynch, David Gust, and defenseman Jakub Galvas missed just off the top of the catching glove. There was only one power play in the first period curtesy of a slashing call against IceHogs defenseman Louis Crevier. Continuing from the preseason, the IceHogs held off the Moose for a successful penalty kill.

With a flurry of one-timer shots, the first half of the second stanza was all IceHogs. A crosschecking call against the Moose put the IceHogs on its first power play where forwards Lukas Reichel, Adam Clendening, and Brett Seney and defenseman Isaak Phillips pounded away at Manitoba goalie Arvid Holm. Some shoving behind the scenes resulted in Luke Philp dropping the gloves and landing a couple of hard rights against Manitoba’s Kristian Reichel, cousin to IceHogs’ Lukas Reichel. Unable to capitalize on their second power play, the IceHogs allowed two more tallies, including one from Daniel Torgersson at 10:01 and Chaz Lucius’ first professional score at 8:12.

Looking for a little third frame magic, the IceHogs began their comeback. Philp came across the ice with a back-door shot and tally to get on the board. Playing with pace and purpose, Gust slid in for his first score as an IceHog at 7:36, and Reichel tied the game 35 seconds later off a turnover to even the score at three. Manitoba’s Kristian Reichel answered back with a bank shot off Clendening’s skate to take a 4-to-3 lead at 8:43. With just under three minutes left in the period, Soderblom leaves the net to press a 6-on-5 attack where Philp tied the match at four apiece with a shot from the right circle to force the season opener to overtime.

The two clubs did not play a single overtime or shootout against each other last season, but the teams opened their seasons with an exciting overtime finale this afternoon. After two saves from Soderblom, Seney tallied his first IceHogs goal with a short-side, high shot through a narrow window to complete the comeback 5-to-4 victory for the Icehogs.

Join the IceHogs’ Opening Act with Hard Rock Casino-Rockford on Oct. 22!
The IceHogs celebrate Opening Night at the BMO on Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Chicago Wolves at 7 p.m. Start the celebration with the IceHogs and the Hard Rock Casino – Rockford for The IceHogs Opening Act with a block party from 4:30-6:30 p.m. outside the BMO featuring Rockford band, Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts.

Buy Opening Night & Opening Act Tickets Here!

The IceHogs and Hard Rock Casino – Rockford are also teaming up on an exclusive Hard Rock Hammy t-shirt giveaway. Fans attending the block party will have the first chance to get a shirt with the remaining shirts available to fans upon entry to the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Food trucks from Olivo Tacos, 15^th and Chris, TNT Funnel Cakes, Inzombia coffee and more will fuel fans for the Opening Act and fans can participate in exciting pregame events like axe throwing, street hockey provided by the Chicago Blackhawks, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, bags/cornhole and more! The block party will take place at the intersection of Elm and Main St., outside of the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.

The Rockford IceHogs open their 16th American Hockey League season and 24th in the Stateline on Saturday, Oct. 15 against the Manitoba Moose at 2 p.m. CT at Canada Life Centre and wrap up their season-opening weekend on Sunday, Oct. 16 against the Moose at 2 p.m. Listen and watch every game this season on the IceHogs Broadcast Network presented by BMO Harris Bank! Listen and watch every game from your favorite device on AHLTV, at home, or on the road at IceHogs.com and on the IceHogs app!

Be Close to the FUN with an IceHogs Group Ticket Package!
Group ticket packages are on sale now! Experience the excitement of IceHogs hockey with a group of 10 or more family and friends! From skating on the ice before the game, watching pregame warmups from the bench, performing during the game or high-fiving the IceHogs as they take the ice, an IceHogs Group Ticket Package brings you closer to the FUN! Reserve your group experience all season at IceHogs.com!

Season Ticket Memberships for 2022-23 are on Sale Now!
Don’t miss a moment of the action next season! Reserve your seats for the IceHogs’ 16th season as the top AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. Celebrate Opening Night on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at BMO Harris Bank Center against the Chicago Wolves! Contact us at (815) 847-6399, at icehogs@blackhawks.com, or visit IceHogs.com to claim your seats for this upcoming season.

2021-22 Regular Season Records:
Rockford: 37-30-4-1, 79 points (4th, Central Division)
Manitoba: 41-24-5-2, 89 points (2nd, Central Division)

2022-23 Head-to-Head Schedule (all times Central):
Oct. 15 at Manitoba, 2 PM
Oct. 16 at Manitoba, 2 PM
Oct. 23 at Rockford, 4 PM
Jan. 31 at Rockford, 7 PM
Mar. 15 at Rockford, 7 PM
Mar. 22 at Manitoba, 7 PM
Mar. 24 at Manitoba, 7 PM
Apr. 15 at Rockford, 7 PM

IceHogs vs. Moose 2021-22 Head-to-Head Record:
5-3-0-0

IceHogs vs. Moose, All-Time:
24-23-3-3