Toronto, ON - The Rockford IceHogs took down the Toronto Marlies 3-2 in Toronto, Ontario, at the Coca-Cola Coliseum Saturday evening. 

The IceHogs created constant offensive pressure in the first period. Less than five minutes into the game, Gavin Hayes lined up a shot from behind the goal line that bounced off the back of Marlies goaltender Artur Akhtyamov and into the net for a 1-0 IceHogs lead. Nick Lardis and Dominic Toninato were credited with assists.

Lardis stayed involved in the offensive end halfway through the opening frame, going back and forth with Derrick Pouliot. Lardis fed Pouliot perfectly in the deep slot, where the IceHogs defender fired a powerful shot by Akhtyamov to make it a 2-0 game. 

With less than two minutes remaining in the 1st, the Marlies were granted a power play opportunity with Pouliot off the ice for roughing. The Marlies set up firmly on the IceHogs' side of the ice, taking multiple cracks at IceHogs goaltender Stanislav Berezhnoy. Berezhnoy sent away multiple Marlies looks before Logan Shaw eventually snuck one by him for a score. The IceHogs took a 2-1 advantage into the first intermission. 

Toronto provided pressure in the 2nd, outshooting the IceHogs 16 to 4. Despite a handful of good opportunities, both teams were scoreless in the period, and the score remained 2-1 IceHogs heading into the 3rd. 

The majority of the 3rd period had little offense to speak of. Both teams had only mustered a handful of shots until, with under two minutes remaining in the third, Cavan Fitzgerald gave up a delay-of-game penalty. The Marlies, who had already pulled Akhtamov from goal, went on the power play and made it a 6-on-4. With 29 seconds remaining in regulation, the Marlies won a faceoff in the offensive zone, Brendan Brisson set up Luke Haymes right in front of the Rockford crease, and the Marlies scored to force overtime. 

For the first time this season, the IceHogs went into extra time. 

Rockford came into the overtime period with a full head of steam. Less than a minute in, Connor Mackey settled the puck at the IceHogs' blue line and fired a pass that deflected off the stick of Hayes. The puck found Landon Slaggert in stride, who sent it past Akhtamov and gave the IceHogs the win. The IceHogs pick up their second win of the season over the defending Calder Cup champions.

Berezhnoy had an exceptional night in net, with 34 saves on 36 Toronto attempts. 

The IceHogs and Marlies face off in Toronto again tomorrow, Sunday, October 25th, at 3:00 p.m. Rockford is back home against the Manitoba Moose on Friday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m. It's a $3 Beer Night and Pink in the Rink Night benefiting Mercyhealth Foundation to support Mercyhealth Cancer Institute. Tickets are available at icehogs.com.