IceHogs fall in worst loss since 8-3 game in Chicago on Nov. 24
Rockford, Ill.- Peoria ripped through the Rockford defense in the second period on Wednesday, scoring five goals en route to a 6-1 win at the Rockford MetroCentre.
The free-for-all started with a Nicholas Drazenovic marker with assists from Charles Linglet and Julian Talbot at 6:22 in the second period. Peoria then followed that up with five unanswered points including two short-handed goals and a power play goal.
Peoria's first PK marker came from Trent Whitfield at 11:32 in the second period with assists from Chris Porter and David Brooks. Then followed Martin Kariya's at 12:47 during the same power play with helpers from Cam Keith and Jeff Woywitka.
Nikolay Lemtyugov scored his first of two goals of the game to make the score 3-1 at 16:16 in the second. Steve Wagner and Whitefield had the helpers. Jean-Guy Trudel poured some salt on the wound with a power play goal at 17:04 and Lemtyugov added his second goal at 16:16 in the third to make the final score 6-1.
Troy Brouwer scored Rockford's only goal off of a pass from Martin St. Pierre and Jerramie Domish at 9:44 in the first period.
With the assist, St. Pierre tied Chicago's Jason Krog for the league lead in points at 60. Corey Crawford had 18 saves before being pulled after the second period in favor of Wade Flaherty. It was Flaherty's first appearance in an IceHogs game since Dec. 1 after the veteran netminder spent a couple of weeks out with a leg injury and another couple in Europe with Canada's Spangler Cup team. The loss brings Crawford's record to 22-8-2-5.
It is the worst loss for Rockford since an 8-3 game at Chicago on Nov. 23 and the worst loss at home this season.
Next Home Game: Friday, Jan. 25 vs. Chicago Wolves. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. Another showdown for the top spot in the West Division between the Hogs and Wolves. The IceHogs along with Camelot World Travel, 97ZOK, Rockford's Country Q98.5 and 23WIFR welcome Jason Earles to the MetroCentre.