SKILLE, FLAHERTY SNAP HOGS' WINLESS STREAK

Hogs set tone early with first 1-0 lead since Feb. 2 at Chicago


Milwaukee, Wis.- Maybe it wasn't such a good idea for the Milwaukee Admirals to play Jack Skille's hometown band in the arena where he skated for the University of Wisconsin in the Frozen Four.

The Rockford rookie winger punched in the game-winning goal unassisted with 57 seconds left in the game as the IceHogs ended their eight-game losing streak at the Bradley Center on Friday. The Hogs beat the Milwaukee Admirals 3-2 for their first two-point game since Feb. 1.

In the first period, Troy Brouwer poked through his league-leading 17th power play goal at 8:09 to make the score 1-0. Martin St. Pierre broke his three-game scoreless streak with an assist. Derek Nesbitt also picked up a point.

The Admirals' Jason Guerriero tied the game at one at 6:51 in the second with a helper from Kelsey Wilson.

But Rockford's Bryan Bickell solved Milwaukee's Pekka Rinne on the power play at 15:53 in the second to make the score 2-1 with an assist from Skille.

Cody Franson took advantage of a Ryan Stokes slashing minor to put one past Wade Flaherty at 8:56 in the third to tie the score again. Antti Pihlstrom and Janne Niskala had the assists.

Rinne took the loss in his league-leading 52nd game with 21 saves. Flaherty got the big win with 20 saves.

Brouwer skated for the first time in four games after suffering an oblique injury in Quad City on Feb. 10. Blue-liner Jerramie Domish also missed the last two games an injury. Corey Crawford was not in the line-up after getting recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks late Friday afternoon. He is expected to suit up in Los Angeles on Saturday, replacing Nikolai Khabibulin after he reaggrivated an injury during practive Friday.

Next Home Game: Sunday, Feb. 24 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Game time is 4:05 p.m. The IceHogs match-up with the Admirals for a third straight time on Sunday The first 1,000 fans to the game will pick up IceHogs poster #3 courtesy of Pepsi, MedicineMan and Johnson Press. Also, don’t forget your skates as Sunday is another Skate With the Hogs following the game!