NESBITT COMES THROUGH AGAIN FOR HOGS

Hogs sweep Week 15

Moline, Ill.- Rookie winger Derek Nesbitt is earning his keep with the Rockford IceHogs. In his 10th game with the IceHogs since getting loaned to Rockford from the Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL) and then signing with the Hogs, Nesbitt can add an overtime game-winning goal to his resume as the IceHogs topped the Quad City Flames 4-3 at the i wireless Center on Sunday.

A night after tying the game late in Milwaukee, Nesbitt used some late heroics, but this time to win the game. Rookie defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson crossed a pass to Nesbitt in front of Flames goalie Brent Krahn and Nesbitt tipped in his fifth goal of the season to win the contest 40 seconds into the overtime. Prestin Ryan also helped out on the game winner.

The game was sent to the OT after a late goal from the Flames. Winger Bandon Prust knocked in a rebound past Corey Crawford with the extra attacker out at 19:11. The goal was Prust's second of the game.

With Rockford leading 2-1 entering the third, Quad City tied it at 2 when defenseman Tim Ramholt fired in his second goal of the season at 12:08. But on the very next shift Hjalmarsson put Rockford back on top when he ripped his second goal of the campaign, beating Krahn in traffic.

The Flames grabbed the early 1-0 lead with a power-play marker in the first period. Prust redirected a Grant Stevenson centering pass past Hogs goalie Mike Brodeur at 7:22. The first 7:32 of the game featured 27 penalty minutes.

Rockford jumped on the board in the second frame with a blast from Ryan. Ryan picked up a rebound from a Nesbitt shot and disposed it past Krahn at 14:50 for his seventh goal of the season. Defenseman Danny Richmond also chipped in a helper.

Then on the first face-off of Rockford's second power play, center Martin St. Pierre slapped home his 14 goal of the campaign at 18:02 to put Rockford on top 2-1 at the second intermission.

Brodeur was removed from the game after the first intermission after getting kicked in the face. Crawford picked up the win making 29 saves for Rockford who have won three in a row.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Jan. 16 vs. Manchester Monarchs. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. The first visiting opponent from the Eastern Conference comes to Rockford. The Hogs and Monarchs are set to match-up for a second and final time this season and the game is presented by Crown Royal.