RECAP: IceHogs Clinch Playoff Berth with 2-1 Shootout Win Over Admirals

ROCKFORD, Ill. – With two points on Tuesday night in a 2-1 shootout win over the Milwaukee Admirals, the Rockford IceHogs clinched a berth in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Louis Crevier kept Rockford in the game with a late second-period goal; his second goal of his pro career and first goal at the BMO Center. Rem Pitlick scored the shootout-clinching goal to secure the victory for Rockford, and Jaxson Stauber recorded 34 saves on 35 shots for his 10th straight win.

Stauber recorded 12 saves in the first period as Milwaukee outshot Rockford 12-4. The IceHogs struggled to create scoring chances in the opening frame and did not convert on a power-play opportunity after a cross-checking penalty by Rolan McKeown.

With under five minutes in the second period, Reid Schaefer scored first for Milwaukee on a misplayed puck by Rockford behind Stauber’s net to give them a 1-0 lead (15:16).

With a little over a minute remaining in the period, Crevier sent a slap shot into the back of the net to tie the game at one goal a side (18:56). The puck bounded off an Admiral stick where Cole Guttman played it off the wall before sending a pass to a wide-open Crevier at the blue line. With an assist on the play, Guttman extended his point streak to nine games.

The third period was quiet as neither team could crack the tie game in regulation or overtime. Rockford earned a point with the game entering overtime and secured a spot in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs.

The game would go into a shootout where the IceHogs scored in two of three rounds on the sticks of Zach Sanford and Pitlick securing the victory for Rockford and handing Milwaukee its first loss in shootouts.

Rockford will travel to Grand Rapids on Friday, April 5 as they look to make up ground on the Griffins in the Central Division. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m.CDT on Friday.

SATURDAY, APRIL 6 AT 7PM: LOCAL ARTISTS HAT SERIES GIVEAWAY #3 + BASEBALL NIGHT + GIFT OF HOPE NIGHT

The first 1,500 fans will receive a hat designed by Chicago-based artist and Rockford native Ryan "Stuk One" Lape for the third of this season’s Local Artists Hat Series, presented by BMO with media partners WTVO 17 and FOX 39. Get here early for a chance to meet Ryan and have him sign your hat.

It's also Baseball Night where we celebrate America's pastime and team up with our friends at the Rockford Rivets on some baseball-themed in-game entertainment!

Finally, April 6 is Gift of Hope Night with the IceHogs. This "Organ Donation Awareness" game is dedicated to all the Rockford area donor families and recipients. Gift of Hope Ambassadors will be available to answer organ donation questions and help you say YES to donation!

Tune In LIVE on the Icehogs Broadcast Network Presented by BMO

Watch and listen to every game this season on the IceHogs Broadcast Network presented by BMO! Listen from your favorite device, at home, or on the road at IceHogs.com and on the IceHogs app, and watch LIVE on AHLTV and selected games in High Definition on The365! Fans can also tune in on all of Mid-West Family’s local stations including 104.9 The X, B103, 95.3 The Bull, and Rockford Greatest Hits 100.5 and featured on Rock River Current, the Stateline’s premiere source for local events, news, and culture.