ROCKFORD DROPS TEETER-TOTTER TILT

IceHogs come up short, drop 4-3 contest to Barons

Rockford, Ill. – A seesaw battle between the Rockford IceHogs and Oklahoma City Barons finished in favor of the Barons, 4-3, at the BMO Harris Bank Center on Saturday night.

Rockford opened the scoring at the 10:12 mark of the first period when a Peter LeBlanc shot was blocked by Oklahoma City goaltender Olivier Roy, but right in front of the crease for Martin St. Pierre to backhand into the open net, giving the IceHogs the 1-0 advantage.

Oklahoma City evened things up 1:06 into the second frame just as a 5-on-3 power play expired. Carter Hutton deflected a Jonathan Cheechoo shot attempt below the faceoff circle, but Mark Arcobello sent the puck back in and off of Hutton’s pad to even the score at 1-1.

The Hogs came right back and cashed in on their own power play opportunity. Jeremy Morin passed through the Barons penalty kill zone to Adam Clendening. The d-man immediately sent the puck to Kenndal McArdle in front of the Oklahoma City net who tipped in his first goal in an IceHogs sweater and gave Rockford a 2-1 lead.

Yet the Barons would even the score again when Philippe Cornet tipped in his second lamp lighter of the season at the 13:41 mark. Cornet positioned himself in front of the IceHogs goal and deflected in an Arcobello wrister.

Less than two minutes later, Josh Green put the Barons out in front, 3-2, with help from Taylor Fedun.

Rockford had a glimmer of hope when Jimmy Hayes put home a Ryan Stanton rebound with less than five minutes remaining in the contest, evening the score at three a piece.

But Oklahoma City came out on top with a tally just two minutes later. A Colten Teubert shot from the point deflected off of an IceHogs stick and into the net, giving the Barons the victory in a 4-3 final.

Hutton finished the night with 28 saves, while the IceHogs peppered Roy with 36 shots on goal.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 9 vs. Houston Aeros. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m. The first 2,000 fans to the game will pick up a Colin Fraser Bobblehands figurine courtesy of Gatorade, recognizing the first former IceHogs skater to win two Stanley Cups.