Rockford, IL - The Rockford IceHogs cruised past the Milwaukee Admirals, 6-2 on Saturday night inside the BMO Center.

The IceHogs struck with 5:24 to go in the opening period to take an early 1-0 lead. Nick Lardis spotted Dominic Toninato trailing in the slot and the first-year Hog snapped his shot past Milwaukee's Matt Murray.

In the final minute of the period, Taige Harding jumped down the wall and found daylight with his snap shot for his first professional goal and a 2-0 Hogs' lead.

Rockford took a power play into the 2nd frame and wasted no time to convert. Lardis stashed the puck into the near side of the net after a feed from behind the cage off the stick of Rem Pitlick.

Milwaukee cut the deficit to 3-1 with a tally from Cole O'Hara who knocked a rebound past Drew Commesso after an Admirals' power play expired. Rockford jumped right back out in front 4-1 just minutes later on a man-advantage. Gavin Hayes batted a second-attempt out of the air and past Murray.

2:38 into the 3rd, Ethan Del Mastro's shot went off the pads and right to rookie Aidan Thompson's stick who added to the 5-1 lead. The Admirals got one back with a power play goal from Reid Schaefer at 5:35.

Two minutes after the Ads' goal, Pitlick was credited with his 15th of the season after his net-front pass deflected off a Milwaukee forward and in. Drew Commesso shut the door and earned a 25 save victory.

Up next, the IceHogs host the Admirals on Sunday, February 15 at 4:00 p.m. Rockford continues its Blackhawks Centennial Celebration and will sport retro jerseys that are currently up for auction. Buy tickets at icehogs.com.