ROCKFORD'S COMEBACK FALLS SHORT IN SHOOTOUT

IceHogs drop second straight shootout out east

Manchester, NH- For the second straight night the Rockford IceHogs failed to pick up the second point in the shootout. This time around the Hogs dropped a 3-2 affair against the Manchester Monarchs at the Verizon Wireless Center after battling back from a 2-0 deficit. Rockford did, however, extend its unbeaten streak to four straight games (2-0-0-2).

The shootout lasted seven rounds and it started well for the Hogs. Dave Bolland, Jack Skille and Petri Kontiola tallied for Rockford in the first four rounds. The Monarchs countered by scoring on four its final five attempts on Corey Crawford to sneak away with the two points. The game-winner was tallied by Trevor Lewis.

Manchester cashed in first in regulation off a long rebound from the back half-wall. Winger Teddy Purcell fired a shot from just inside the IceHogs blue-line over the Rockford goal and the rebound ended up in front and Gabe Gauthier flipped the rebound over Wade Flaherty at 9:48 giving the Monarchs the 1-0 lead.

Flaherty would leave the contest with an injury in the second period and Crawford was greeted rudely. Purcell dumped a puck behind the IceHogs net and the rebound skipped to the side of the goal. Crawford reached down to cover, but Lewis poked the loose puck under Crawford before he could get there at 12:34 for his second goal of the season.

The Hogs responded, however, with a pair of goals heading into the second intermission. Troy Brouwer finished off a power-play charge when he knocked in a feed in from Kontiola and Martin St. Pierre at 15:24, notching his team-leading ninth goal of the year. Kontiola later tied it when he one-timed a Kris Versteeg pass over the shoulder of Dan Cloutier at 18:47 for his fifth tally of the campaign.

Rockford finished 1-for-2 on the power play while holding Manchester’s league leading power play to 0-for-2.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Dec. 5 vs. Syracuse Crunch. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs welcome the Crunch to MetroCentre for the first time. Wednesday’s game is brought to you by Jose Curevo. For tickets call (815) 986-6465.