SIMPSON OUTDUELS HELLBERG

Goaltender Kent Simpson stops 33-of-34 shots to earn win

Rockford, Ill. – Rockford IceHogs goaltender Kent Simpson found himself on the winning end of a goaltending duel on Wednesday night, as the IceHogs topped the Milwaukee Admirals 2-1 at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Despite being outshot 27-19 and in a scoreless game after the first 40 minutes, the IceHogs finally got on the board. Mark McNeill’s shot was deflected by Marcus Hellberg and set up for Joakim Nordstrom to chip in his third goal of the season to put the Hogs in front 1-0 at 7:07 in the third.

The IceHogs had a chance to extend the lead with Milwaukee’s Austin Watson in the penalty box for holding but it was the Admirals that converted, short-handed, to knot the game up at 1-1. Joonas Jarvinen sent Taylor Beck into the IceHogs zone on a breakaway and the center crossed it over the goal line, past Simpson at 13:31.

In overtime, the Rockford power play unit came through and capitalized on their fourth man advantage to snag the victory. Jeremy Morin picked up a Alex Broadhurst pass and fired a shot that Hellberg turned aside, but McNeill was on the doorstep to clean up the rebound for his team leading seventh goal of the season 2:15 into the extra session.

Simpson and Hellberg both played well between the pipes tonight. Rockford’s netminder earned his fourth win of the season, stopping 33 of the 34 shots he faced. Hellberg was handed the loss but blocked 29 attempts.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Nov. 30 vs. Chicago Wolves. Puck drop is 7 p.m. The IceHogs host the Wolves in the third Illinois Lottery Cup game of the season. The first 2,500 adults (21+) to the BMO will receive a scarf courtesy of Bud Light. The game will also be Teddy Bear Toss Night. The IceHogs encourage fans to bring teddy bears to the game and throw them on the ice after the first IceHogs goal. The teddy bears will be donated to local charities and hospitals.