ROCKFORD FALLS 4-2 GOING INTO ALL-STAR BREAK

The Hogs finish 2-2-0-0 in final week of first half

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs couldn't grab two points going into the All-Star Break from the first-place Milwaukee Admirals at the Rockford MetroCentre. The Hogs fell 4-2 after coming back twice to tie the game in front of a sold out MetroCentre of 5,817.

Rockford found itself down early thanks to a Mike Santorelli goal just 12 seconds into the game, marking the fastest goal allowed to start a game for the IceHogs in club history. The previous record was set on March 24, 2004 by Quad City. Mallards center Jeff Williams 14 seconds into the game.

Rob Klinkhammer found the back of the net off of a Tim Hambly pass at 15:59 to even the score. Niklas Hjalmarsson also assisted on the goal.

"I thought we responded pretty well," said Rockford defenseman Jimmy Sharrow. "I thought we got down a little bit, the shoulder dropped a bit, but we bounced back once we got that one and picked it up."

But then Kelsey Wilson put the Ads back up again at 19:20 when he picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone as his penalty expired and finished a break away past Corey Crawford. Nick Spaling was credited with an assist.

In the second period, Dan Bertram scored his third goal of the season and third in as many games off of helpers from Hjalmarsson and Adam Berti to tie the game at 2-2.

Then Ryan Jones put the Ads up again with a wrap-around goal at 3:49 in the third. Mike Santorelli was credited with an assist.

"They're a speedy team and a good hockey team and obviousy that's why they're first in the division," Sharrow said. "I thought we stayed with them tonight then we gave up that one right in the start of the first period and that's not something you don't want to do."

And Cal O'Reilly added a little padding at 13:13, taking a dish on the breakaway from Patric Hornqvist.

The Admirals were 0-for-2 on the power play, pushing Rockford's improving penalty kill to 28th place in the league. The IceHogs were 0-for-4 on the power play.

Crawford and Drew MacIntyre both finished with 31 saves.

Next Home Game: Friday. Feb. 13 vs. Peoria Rivermen: Rockford returns home at 7:30 p.m. The IceHogs come home after a 19 day hiatus to take on Rivermen. The first 1,500 kids to the game will receive an IceHogs Youth Jersey courtesy of Feldco Windows and Doors, FOX 39 and 104.9 FM, WXRX.