REGIN LEADS HOGS TO COMEBACK AGAINST MONSTERS
Rockford, IL – Finding themselves in a 4-1 hole heading into the third period, the Rockford IceHogs rattled off four straight goals to complete a 5-4 overtime victory to garner their sixth straight win.
The Lake Erie Monsters jumped out to a 4-1 lead after two periods of play on Tuesday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. But then it was Rockford’s Mark McNeill who cut the Lake Erie three goal advantage to just one with 5:25 remaining in the final period.
McNeill’s first goal of the night came 1:57 into the final period as Garett Ross and Kyle Cumiskey set the centerman up for his fourth goal of the campaign, bringing the score to 4-2. Then, Ross and McNeill were back at it again at the 14:35 mark in the final frame to make it a 4-3 game.
The IceHogs continued to apply the pressure on Calvin Pickard and the Monsters as the clock ticked down. Peter Regin would add first of his two on the night from Joakim Nordstrom and T.J. Brennan with 1:40 remaining in the contest.
Regin then capped off the thrilling 5-4 comeback victory in the overtime period as the two teams were skating three skaters apiece. Setting Regin up for the overtime game-winner, Brennan dished out his third assist on the night with 1:50 left in the extra session.
Stefan Elliot opened the scoring at the 3:50 into the contest from Maxim Noreau and Joey Histon as the Hogs were on the penalty kill following a tripping minor. After another IceHogs tipping foul, Lake Erie's Colin Smith delivered a 2-0 lead for the visitors with 14:03 remaining in the first. Karl Stollery and Paul Carey added assists on the Smith goal.
Rockford cut the lead in half as Ville Pokka notched his second power play goal in as many games, again on the man advantage, 5:19 into the middle frame. Brennan and Ross each picked up an assist on the goal.
Lake Erie answered with their third power play tally of the evening as Smith notched his second of the game at the 6:58 of the middle period. Carey picked up his second helper of the night and Mike Sgarbossa earned an assist.
The visiting team added their fourth power play tally of the game and forced Michael Leighton to an early exit when Elliot scored his second of the night with assists going to Smith and Noreau with 6:40 showing on second period clock.
The IceHogs attempted a season-high 46 shots on the Monsters cage as Pickard took the loss for Lake Erie, making 41 saves of those pucks fired his way.
Scott Darling came in relief effort at the 13:20 mark of the second period and picked up his fourth victory of the season to improve his record to 4-0-0-0, stopping all 12 shots he faced. Leighton stopped 10 of the 14 shots he faced and had a no decision.
Next Home Game: Saturday, Nov. 8 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins. Game starts at 7 p.m. Rockford will make their salute to the Armed Forces when they host the Griffins for Military Night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. In addition to recognizing past and current service men and women throughout the night, the first 2,500 fans will receive an IceHogs camouflage hat courtesy of Pepsi.