Big Snake, Mizzi lead Rockford to first ever 3-0 start
October 23, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- For the first time in club history, the Rockford IceHogs are 3-0-0. The Hogs topped the Motor City Mechanics 4-2 on Sunday at the Rockford MetroCentre, ending the Mechanics 15-game unbeaten streak and giving Rockford a perfect opening weekend to the 2005-06 season. Center Preston Mizzi and rookie winger Robin Big Snake each scored a pair of goals to lead Rockford.
The combo tallied twice in a 19 second span late in the first period to take a 2-0 lead. Mizzi's first lamp lighter came at 16:05 on the power play. Big Snake later extended the lead to two with his first career goal at 16:24.
In the second frame, Motor City scored twice to tie the contest at 2-2. Mike Ramsey's shot from behind the Rockford goal line bounced off the back of Hogs goalie Michel Robinson's leg and in at 8:35. Then on the power play, Kevin Hansen blasted home a marker at 12:36.
Big Snake however, hooked up with his rookie line-mates Chaz Johnson and Yannick Tifu at 15:51 for the eventual game-winning goal. In the third period Mizzi gave Rockford some insurance on the advantage, his second of the night, at 5:27.
Robinson made 25 saves in the winning effort, while Rod Branch was handed the loss with 25 saves. Rockford's penalty kill held the Mechanics to 1-for-10 on the power play. The Hogs were 2-for7.
Next Home Game: Friday, October 28 vs. Missouri River Otters. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs and River Otters meet for the second time in the young season. The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive IceHogs Poster #1 from Medicine Man, Pepsi and Johnson Press. Also, the Hogs will host their annual costume contest for kids and adults. Come dressed and you can walk away with some fabulous IceHogs prizes and then you can trick-or-treat with the Hogs following the game. Call (815) 968-5222 for tickets.
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 23, 2005
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- Big Snake, Mizzi lead Rockford to first ever 3-0 start - Rockford IceHogs
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- Trashers top Flint in 4-3 shootout win - Danbury Trashers
- Big third period lifts Rockford over Missouri - Rockford IceHogs
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