ROCKFORD WINS FOURTH STRAIGHT ON ROAD SWING
Crawford backstops IceHogs to 2-1 win over Rochester
Rochester, NY.- They don’t ask how, they ask how many. That’s probably the best way to describe the Rockford IceHogs 2-1 win over the Rochester Americans on Wednesday night at the Blue Cross Arena.
In their fourth game of a season-high seven-game road swing, the IceHogs pulled off its fourth straight win behind strong goaltending from Corey Crawford who came within 51 seconds of a shutout.
The IceHogs tallied the only first period goal. Off of an offensive zone face-off win, center Jake Dowell picked up a Niklas Hjalmarsson pass and knocked it past Rochester goalie Tyler Plante at 6:32 for his third goal of the season. Rob Klinkhammer also helped on the marker.
Rockford had a couple of opportunities to extend their lead in the first and second period. Tim Brent failed to convert on a penalty shot attempt at 10:14 of the first period and the IceHogs managed just one shot on goal during a five-minute power play in the second frame.
Pascal Pelletier gave Rockford some insurance in the third period and they would need it. Dowell and winger Adam Pineault won their respective battles for the loose puck in the Rochester zone and Dowell set up Pelletier for his team leading 23rd goal of the season at 5:07.
With Plante on the bench, the Amerks would pull back within one late in the game. Winger Michal Repik would pick up a batted puck and backhand in his ninth goal of the season ruining Crawford’s shutout bid at 19:09. Michael Duco and Karl Stewart helped.
Both team’s finished 0-5 on the power play and Rockford peppered Plante with 33 shots in the win. The four-game road winning streak is a season high for the IceHogs.
Game Highlights
Dowell First Period Goal
Pelletier Third Period Goal
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 the Rivermen. The first 1,500 kids to the game 14-and-under will receive an IceHogs Youth Jersey courtesy of Feldco Windows and Doors, FOX 39 and 104.9 FM, WXRX.