ROCKFORD STAYS HOT, BLANK FLAMES 3-0

Crawford earns second shutout

Rockford, Ill. – A sold out Rockford MetroCentre got to see a defeated rival, a teen heart throb and an outpouring of support for the less fortunate Saturday as the Rockford IceHogs doused the Quad City Flames 3-0. The 17-6-2-3 Hogs kept pace with the Chicago Wolves to stay tied for first place and their season-high win streak reached nine games (7-0-0-2).

The sell out is the second for the season for the AHL team and second in the history of the Rockford organization.

Jordan Hendry's second goal of the season at 19:11 in the first period caused 1,616 stuffed animals to fly into the ice, a new record in the nine-year run of the Teddy Bear Toss charity campaign. Fans were encouraged to bring stuffed animals to the game Saturday and throw them onto the ice after the IceHogs' first goal. Next week, the IceHogs staff will distribute them to area hospitals and charities for less fortunate children in the Rockford area.

Jack Skille and Danny Richmond were credited with the assists on Hendry's goal.

The Hogs added insurance in each of the next two periods. Skille put through his seventh goal of the campaign at 15:40 in the second frame, with help from Bryan Bickell and Evan Brophey.

Then Martin St. Pierre punched through a power-play marker at 9:04 in the third. The assists were by Petri Kontiola and Kris Versteeg.

With 14 saves, Corey Crawford continued to stay steaming hot at home. In the last five home games, the netminder has let in only three goals. The Rockford shooters gave Quad City goalie Matt Keetly plenty of looks with 31 shots Saturday. Crawford’s shutout was his second of the season.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Dec. 22 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs meet the Milwaukee Admirals for the first time at the Rockford MetroCentre. The first 1,000 fans to the game will pick up an IceHogs Santa Hat courtesy of the Rockford Park District.