NIEMI OUT DOES LEGACE IN 1-0 WIN

Rockford ends road swing 5-2-0-0

Peoria, Ill.- A seven-game road swing came to an end for the Rockford IceHogs on Wednesday night and American Hockey League club blanked the Peoria Rivermen 1-0 at Carver Arena.

Antti Niemi out-dueled Manny Legace, who made his Peoria debut. Both goaltenders made 21 saves, but it was Niemi picking up his second shutout of the season and 13th overall win.

Rockford’s penalty kill continued its road woes in a scoreless first period on Wednesday. On three first period power-play opportunities Rockford managed just one shot in on Legace and the Peoria goal. Rockford would finish the game 0-5 on the
advantage and are now 0-for-their-last-25 on the power play.

Pascal Pelletier solved Legace early in the second period to put Rockford up 1-0. Pelletier snapped a Jack Skille pass past Legace for his team-leading 24th goal of the season. Mike Brennan also helped on the goal at 5:51.

The game’s first 40 minutes of hockey featured just 29 combined shots including 15 by the IceHogs.

In the third period, Rockford was able to hold Peoria off the board, including in the final 1:30 with Legace on the bench for the extra attacker. Rockford’s finished their seven-game road swing 5-2-0-0 and will now return home for three straight home games.

Next Home Game: Friday, Feb. 13 vs. Peoria Rivermen. Rockford returns home at 7:30 p.m. The IceHogs come home after a 19 day hiatus to take on the Rivermen. The first 1,500 kids to the game 14-and-under will receive an IceHogs Youth Jersey courtesy of Feldco Windows and Doors, FOX 39 and 104.9 FM, WXRX.

Kids can enter to win four (4) tickets in the Press Box Suite for the Feb. 13 IceHogs game against Peoria inside Feldco at 747 South Perryville Road in Rockford. The winner and three friends will receive VIP treatment for the night and will get a visit from an IceHogs player during the game.