TAFFE'S TALLIES HELP END ROCKFORD'S LOSING STREAK

Winger stays hot with three points in 4-2 win over Peoria

Peoria, Ill.- It’s easy to see who the Rockford IceHogs go-to-guy has been. Winger Jeff Taffe scored a pair of goals and added an assist to help lead the IceHogs to a 4-2 win over the Peoria Rivermen at Carver Arena.

Taffe extended his point streak to 13-straight games and Rockford ended a four game losing streak and a seven-game road winless streak with the victory. Brian Connelly chipped in his second three-assist game of the season and Ryan Stanton added his second straight multi-point game.

After a scoreless first period, the second frame featured five tallies.

Peoria took the 1-0 lead with a power-play goal. Defenseman Nathan Oystrick wrapped a puck behind the Rockford net and it deflected off the glass and right back to Oystrick who buried his 12th marker of the year at 5:34.

Rockford, however, responded with a pair of goals to grab a 2-1 lead. Ryan Potulny tied the game when he slipped his 18th goal of the season under Jake Allen at 10:38 of the middle frame, set up by Connelly and Stanton.

Then Taffe extended his point streak with his 20th goal of the campaign. Stanton found Taffe in the slot and the winger rifled his marker past Allen at 12:22.

Another power play for Peoria locked the game up at 2-2. Mark Cundari slapped his seventh goal of the season past Richards through traffic at 16:51, assisted by Derek Nesbitt and Nicolas Drazenovic.

Taffe and the IceHogs came right back to reclaim the lead. Off a face off win on a power play, Kyle Beach was able to win a battle along the near boards and found Connelly at the point. The second-year defenseman then fed Taffe for another one-timer that he blasted past Allen at 17:39.

The score would hold that way until a late empty-net goal by the IceHogs. Taffe blocked an Oystick slap shot attempt and fed Rob Klinkhammer up the right boards and he notched his eighth goal of the season into the empty goal at 19:53.

Richards earned the win making 22 saves on the night. Both teams went 2-5 on the power play and Rockford earned their first win of the season in Peoria in their final visit (1-3-0-1).

Next Home Game: Feb. 26 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: Game time is 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs welcome hockey legend Bobby Hull to the MetroCentre presented by U.S. Cellular. Also on Saturday, the first 2,500 fans will receive an IceHogs jersey bag courtesy of Rockford Orthopedic, WTVO and BOB FM.