VERSTEEG'S LATE GOAL PUSHES ROCKFORD OVER PEORIA

Peoria, Ill. - A little drama welcomed the Rockford IceHogs back from their brief Christmas break on Wednesday night in Peoria. The IceHogs fought back from a two-goal third period deficit and slipped by the Rivermen 4-3 in overtime to extend its franchise record unbeaten streak to 14-straight games (10-0-0-4).

Trailing 3-1 entering the third frame, the IceHogs scored a goal early and one late to force overtime. Bryan Bickell cut the Peoria lead down to a goal when he snuck a breakaway goal past Marek Schwarz at 1:05. Then late in the period, center Colin Fraser knocked in the equalizer, his ninth goal of the season at 18:12, set up by Danny Richmond and Jerramie Domish.

The late Fraser goal set-up the sudden-death overtime. Rockford had to kill off a Peoria power play to start the OT and used that momentum to get the game winner. Winger Kris Versteeg would cash in on a centering pass from Jordan Hendry with just 1.4 seconds left in overtime, tipping in his ninth goal of the season to win it for Rockford.

Peoria took the 1-0 lead in the first period with a breakaway goal from Martin Kariya. Kariya picked up a long pass from Steve Wagner and slipped it under Corey Crawford for his sixth goal of the season and a 1-0 Rivermen lead.

Rockford tied it at 1-1 at 8:48 of the second period with the first career goal from rookie winger Adam Hobson. Hobson picked up a pass from Prestin Ryan and snapped in his first marker over the shoulder of Schwarz.

The Rivermen responded, however, with a pair of tallies to take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. Winger Mike Glumac potted his ninth goal of the season, deflecting a shot over the shoulder of Crawford at 9:39. Yan Stastny then pushed the lead to a pair with his fifth marker of the campaign at 16:24.

The IceHogs out-shot the Rivermen 33-27 in the contest and Rockford finished the game 0-for-6 on the power play while holding Peoria to 0-for-5.

Next Home Game: Monday, Dec. 31 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Welcome in the New Year with the IceHogs as they take on the Admirals for a second time this season. Come for the hockey and stay for a post game concert as the IceHogs and WIFR-TV channel 23 welcome Seven Mary Three to the MetroCentre.