McLaughlin Helps IceHogs Keep Up Winning Ways in 5-2 Victory over Monsters

ROCKFORD, IL – Forward Dylan McLaughlin registered a goal and two assists for three points to help the Rockford IceHogs (14-11-1-1) over the Cleveland Monsters (11-10-4-1) with 5-2 win at BMO Harris Bank Center Friday evening to open a season-long, six-game homestand.

IceHogs defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk opened the scoring 6:13 into the contest on the power play, blasting in his fourth goal of the season past the left leg pad of Monsters goalie Jet Greaves (L, 4 saves on 9 shots). The Monsters responded with a quick snapshot off a faceoff at 11:47 from the stick of forward Carson Meyer. As the period wound down, IceHogs forward Mike Hardman forced a turnover while on the penalty kill and capitalized at 17:19 with a shorthanded marker for a 2-1 lead.

In a highly physical second period, the IceHogs continued to find scoring chances and grabbed a 4-1 lead off with goals 15 seconds apart on the sticks of McLaughlin (5:14) and Michal Teply (5:29). Teply’s tally spelled the end of the night for Graves and was replaced by Cam Johnson (11 saves on 11 shots). Forward Kevin Stenlund snared a goal back for the Monsters while on a 5-on-3 power play at 7:39, beating IceHogs netminder Arvid Soderblom (33 saves on 35 shots) on a one-time shot from the left faceoff circle.

With the Monsters pushing for a comeback in the third period, IceHogs defenseman Isaak Phillips sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 17:27. The IceHogs went 1-for-6 on the power play while the Monsters went 1-for-5.

The Rockford IceHogs rematch against the Cleveland Monsters tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. at BMO Harris Bank Center! Join us for the action with tickets starting as low as $11! Buy Tickets

Watch and listen to the action on the IceHogs Broadcast Network presented by BMO Harris Bank! Tune in from your favorite device, at home or on the road at IceHogs.com and on the IceHogs app! Fans can also watch every IceHogs home game and select road games this season on 23.3 Circle TV and every game on AHLTV and listen in on all of Mid-West Family’s local stations including 104.9 The X, B103, 95.3 The Bull, and Rockford Greatest Hits 100.5 and featured on Rock River Current