ROCKFORD SLIPS BY PEORIA IN SHOOTOUT

Peoria, Ill.-It was a typical first preseason on Wednesday night between the Rockford IceHogs and Peoria Rivermen at Carver Arena in Peoria.

Both teams trudged through a rather sloppy contest that featured 17 combined power plays, nine for Rockford and eight for Peoria. Rockford would eventually skate away with a 4-3 shootout win.

After a quick strike goal by the Peoria Rivermen, the Rockford IceHogs responded with three first period tallies to take a 3-1 lead in what was easily the best all around period by the IceHogs on the night.

Rockford winger Peter MacArthur led the way for the Hogs netting a pair of tallies. MacArthur tied the score when he potted a power-play marker at 2:54 of the opening period. Bryan Bickell pushed Rockford on top after slamming home a Jake Dowell centering feed while on a power-play past J.P. Lamoureaux at 11:39.

MacArthur gave Rockford a 3-1 advantage moments after another power-play opportunity expired, knocking in his second goal of the night at 14:13.

Ryan Reeves beat IceHogs goalie Joe Fallon just 36 seconds into the game to give Peoria the early 1-0 lead. After the Reeves’ goal, Rockford held Peoria without a shot on goal for the next 13:42.

In the second frame Peoria cut their deficit down to one when Nicolas Drazenovic blasted a one-timer past Fallon on a power play at 7:54 making it 3-2. The second period featured a combined nine minor penalties.

Drazenovic then tied the contest in the third period when he split the IceHogs defense and slipped his second goal of the night in, this time past Ryan Nie at 14:19 of the third period.

After a scoreless overtime the two clubs went to a shootout. Rockford scored on its first three shooters while Nie stymied Peoria to help Rockford to the win. Bickell, Judd Blackwater and MacArthur all tallied in the shootout on Peoria goalie Chris Holt.

Nie finished the night with eight saves on nine shots faced and earned the win.

Season Tickets And Individual Tickets Now On Sale: The Rockford IceHogs have a variety of season ticket packages available for the 2008-09 season. To find a package that works for you, call (815) 986-6465 and speak with a season ticket sales executive. Individual game tickets are also on sale. Call (815) 968-5222, visit