TWO THIRD PERIOD OLESZ GOALS LIFT ROCKFORD
Hogs top Milwaukee 4-3
Milwaukee, Wis.-One goal games between the Rockford IceHogs and Milwaukee Admirals are nothing new. Friday was more of the same as for the seventh time in 11 meetings this season, a contest between the Midwest Division rivals finished in a one-goal difference, this one in Rockford's favor 4-3.
Tied 2-2 entering the third period, Rostislav Olesz gave Rockford a 3-2 lead on a delayed penalty. Adam Clendening found Olesz in front of Magnus Hellberg and the winger shelved his third goal of the season over his shoulder at 8:33.
Milwaukee tied the game when Scott Valentine, normally a defenseman but playing forward on Friday, cleaned up a Paul Crowder rebound and beat Henrik Karlsson at 13:19 of the third for his fifth tally of the season.
Olesz, however, came right back to put Rockford back on top. Brad Mills spotted Olesz streaking to the Milwaukee net and fed him in front where he buried the eventual game winner at 13:52. Brandon Pirri helped as well on the goal for his third three-assist game of the season.
Karlsson made 31 saves in the win while Rockford peppered Hellberg with 47 shots on goal, a team season high.
An early power play opportunity put Milwaukee on top on Friday. Just eight-seconds into a Martin St. Pierre minor, Juuso Puustinen finished off a n Austin Watson centering feed at 4:14 for his 13th goal of the season.
Rockford evened the score later in the stanza after an Admirals icing. St. Pierre picked up a Jimmy Hayes rebound and fired home his 23rd goal of the season pastHellberg at 12:39.
Later in the period Rockford claimed the lead when Ryan Stanton's shot from the left point was deflected by Mills and over Hellberg at 16:42 for his sixth marker of the season.
In the second period Milwaukee tied the contest after Rockford failed to get the puck out of their zone. Daniel Bang knocked in a Puustinen cross ice feed past Karlsson at 17:06 for his seventh goal on the campaign.
Next Home Game: Sunday, April 7 vs. Peoria Rivermen at 5:05 p.m. It’s the Hogs 14th annual jersey auction as the IceHogs will don special “Abrahammy Lincoln” jerseys that will be auctioned off following the game. The first 2,500 fans to the game will receive a commemorative Abrahammy Lincoln coin, compliments of Lou Bachrodt.