MOOSE BLITZ HOGS FOR SEVENTH STRAIGHT WIN

ROCKFORD, Ill. – JC Lipon notched a hat trick and Michael Hutchinson stopped 47 pucks as the Manitoba Moose trounced the Rockford IceHogs 8-1 at the BMO Harris Bank Center Tuesday night. The Western Conference-leading Moose have now won seven straight games.

Rockford’s loss marks its second in as many games, and the eight goals against are a season-high for the Hogs.

Lipon opened the scoring fewer than five minutes into the game with his fifth goal of the year. Mason Appleton doubled the Moose lead 10 minutes later, finding twine for the seventh time this season.

Manitoba continued its dominance in the second period, with Lipon striking once again. Patrice Cormier and Buddy Robinson then tallied as well to stretch the Moose lead to 5-0 before Anthony Louis got Rockford on the board with a breakaway effort.

Louis’ goal marked his third point in four games.

Any Rockford comeback hopes were quickly dashed in the third period, as Manitoba’s Brendan Lemieux beat goaltender Jeff Glass on a breakaway of his own to make it 6-1 just 12 seconds into the frame.

Manitoba’s Nic Petan scored four minutes later, and Lipon completed his hat-trick goal at 13:22 for Manitoba’s eighth and final goal.

Next Home Game: The Rockford IceHogs take on the Chicago Wolves on Friday, December 1 at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Be one of the first 2,500 fans through the doors to receive a free Marian Hossa poster, thanks to Hub Printing, and the chance to meet Hossa himself, who will be in attendance Friday night. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.