Rockford, IL - The Rockford IceHogs fell in their home opener to the Milwaukee Admirals by a score of 3-1. 

The IceHogs turned the BMO into a madhouse on Saturday, with attendance totaling 6,466. That number marked the largest IceHogs crowd since Jan. 21, 2023. (6,501) 

On the ice, the first period was quiet for both sides. The Admirals outshot the IceHogs nine to four; both teams had power-play chances, yet the score stayed knotted at zero. 

The second period favored the visitors. Daniel Nieminen netted the first goal of Milwaukee's 2026-27 campaign just past the 1:00 mark of the second to give the Admirals a 1-0 lead. Later in the period, the Admirals capitalized on an unlikely breakaway. David Edstrom found a ricocheting puck off Nieminen's skate and added another goal to give Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. 

The third period started similarly to the first for both squads. Rockford and Milwaukee both had a handful of opportunities, but no goals to show for it. With less than five minutes to go, the IceHogs changed the tune of the game. Dominic Toninato showed off some crafty stickwork to sneak a shot by the dominant Isak Posch in goal and scored the IceHogs first goal of the season.

With Milwaukee holding on to a 2-1 lead late, Rockford pulled Drew Commesso from net in a last-ditch scoring attempt. Milwaukee's Brady Martin fired in a goal from the opposite side of the ice, and the scoreboard read 3-1 Milwaukee to end the night. 

Commesso ended the night with 16 saves, and Milwaukee's Isak Posch tallied 22 of his own.

Next time out, the IceHogs will travel to Des Moines to take on the Iowa Wild on Friday, October 9th, at 7:00 p.m.