MISCUES COST HOGS IN MILWAUKEE

Rockford drops the first of three against the Ads

Milwaukee, Wis.- The biggest nemesis for the Rockford IceHogs on Friday in their 3-2 loss to the Milwaukee Admirals seemed to be themselves. Milwaukee scored three goals in transition including two off of Rockford turnovers.

The loss marked the 11th straight (0-9-1-1) for the Hogs on the road against Midwest Division opponents.

Milwaukee peppered Rockford's Kent Simpson with 17 first period shots, but it was the IceHogs who claimed the lone goal in the opening stanza. On a power play late in the period, Brandon Mashinter found Mark McNeill wide open back door and the rookie buried his 12th marker of the season at 19:30.

Rockford had an early power play in the second period, but Milwaukee tied the game while shorthanded. Brandon Pirri's pass was picked off by Colton Sissons at the Hogs blueline and the Admirals rookie beat Simpson going back the other way at 2:11 of the frame for his 12th goal of the year.

In the third period, Milwaukee grabbed the go-ahead goal on a fortunate bounce. Austin Watson led a transition rush into the Rockford zone and the winger's shot was blocked away by Simpson, but the rebound hit Zack Miskovic in front of the Rockford goal and deflected in at 4:34 to put the Ads up 2-1.

Another Rockford turnover later in the frame set up Milwaukee's third goal. Mark Van Guilder would capitalize at 9:17 of the final frame for his eighth tally of the season after Mathieu Tousignant picked off a Brett Skinner clear out attempt.

Rockford climbed back into the game with a shorthanded goal of their own. Brandon Pirri picked up a loose puck and fired his fourth tally of the season past Marek Mazanec at 14:59.

Then with a chance to tie the game late with a power play opportunity, Adam Clendening took a penalty to wipe out and chance for the Hogs.

The two teams will meet on Saturday in Rockford before concluding the weekend in Milwaukee on Sunday evening.

Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 25 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. Rockford faces the Ads on their annual “Pink in the Rink Night”. The ice at the BMO Harris Bank Center will be dyed pink and the players will wear specialty jerseys to help raise funds for breast cancer research. The first 5,000 fans to the BMO will receive a pair of pink, light up thunder sticks courtesy of SwedishAmerican Health System.