JOHNSON, POKKA LEAD HOGS TO STUNNING COMEBACK

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Ville Pokka tied the game with just 14 seconds remaining in the game, and Luke Johnson tallied the game-winner at 1:59 of overtime to cap off the Rockford IceHogs’ 3-2 comeback victory over the Ontario Reign on Pink in the Rink night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Rockford treated a crowd of 5,168 to another late rally for their second consecutive third-period, comeback win.

Pokka knotted the score at two goals apiece with goaltender Collin Delia pulled for an extra attacker, hammering a shot that squeaked through a crowd in front of the net to help the Hogs complete their two-goal comeback. Johnson then won the game in overtime with a quick wrist shot from the wing that sailed past the shoulder of Ontario netminder Jack Campbell.

Ontario took the early lead just 6:04 into the contest, as Sean Walker posted his fifth of the year. Then, late in the second period, captain Brett Sutter doubled the Reign lead with a shorthanded marker.

Fewer than two minutes later, John Hayden got Rockford on the board as he potted a loose rebound on the power play. Hayden has now scored in three of his last four games, and has points in five straight contests.

Delia turned aside 31 of 33 shots for his fifth win in his last six starts, while Campbell stopped 39 of 42 pucks for Ontario. The win also gives Rockford points in nine of its last 10 games and launches the IceHogs back into second place in the Central Division.

Next Home Game: Friday, Feb. 2 | Rockford vs Manitoba Moose (7 p.m.)
The IceHogs take on the Central Division-leading Manitoba Moose on Friday, Feb. 2 for Jake Smolinski bobblehead night. Puck drop is at 7 p.m., and the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a free bobblehead of Oakland Athletics outfielder and Rockford native, Jake Smolinski. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.