SPECIAL TEAMS HAUNT ROCKFORD AGAIN

Moline, Ill.- Specials teams continued to hinder the Rockford IceHogs on Tuesday night. The IceHogs fell 3-1 to the Quad City Flames at the i wireless Center in Moline.

Quad City converted on two of their five power play opportunities on the night while the IceHogs scored just once on nine chances. The turning point in the game came in the second period when the Flames snuffed out a Rockford 5-on-3 power play and moments later tallied a power-play goal of their own to take a lead that they would not give up.

With the game tied1-1, Flames winger Kris Chucko flipped his 13th goal of the season over the shoulder of Corey Crawford to finish the momentum swing. Both David Van der Gulik and Brad Cole assisted the goal.

Rockford was first to score on Tuesday when Jack Skille tallied on the power play. Pascal Pelletier drove the net and after Leland Irving denied his attempt, Skille followed up to jam in his 11th goal of the season at 3:57 of the first period.

Quad City responded, however at 11:55. Jamie Lundmark skated out in front of Crawford and flipped his 11 goal of the season over his shoulder to tie the game.

Rockford couldn't solve Irving in the third period either. The Hogs chipped in 11 shots in each of the three frames, but Irving made 32 saves to preserve the win.

The Flames did add some insurance when Ryan Wilson blasted his third goal of the season on a power play past Crawford at 6:43, set up by Lundmark and Chucko.

Crawford finished the night with 21 saves, but it wasn't enough as he was handed his second straight loss after going unbeaten in seven straight. Rockford's struggles on the road continued as the Hogs have now lost five straight away from the Rockford MetroCentre.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Dec. 31 vs. Quad City Flames. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Rockford IceHogs welcome the Quad City Flames in for a game on New Year’s Eve. Illusionist Jason Michaels will be performing and fans will be allowed on the ice after the game for a post-game skate.