AHL Rockford IceHogs

Five Goal Second Period Lifts Rockford to 8-5 Win

Published on December 8, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs had an offensive explosion netting five goals in the second period to beat the Texas Stars 8-5 on Wednesday night at the Rockford MetroCentre.

The five goals in the second period tied an IceHogs AHL franchise record for most goals in a period, while the eight markers matched a single-game AHL-high.

Texas got out to an early 1-0 lead after an IceHogs turnover behind their own net. Ondrej Roman picked up the puck and passed it to an open Tomas Vincour who netted a goal at point blank range at 2:06 in the first period.

Then Texas took advantage of another IceHogs turnover in the defensive zone to make it 2-0. Sean Backman found Luke Gazdic from the right faceoff circle and Gazdic buried it top shelf past Hannu Toivonen at 13:17. Cody Chupp was also credited with a helper on the play.

Rockford cut away at the lead making it 2-1 to begin the second period. Shawn Lalonde launched a slapper 45 feet away from the right circle past Tyler Beskorowany at 5:09. Igor Makarov and Ryan Stanton assisted on the play.

Less than a minute later the IceHogs tied it up, 2-2 with Kyle Hagel's first goal of the season. Ivan Vishnevskiy shot the puck on goal which was blocked away by Beskorowany and Hagel came from behind the net to slam in the goal at 6:34. IceHogs Captain Garnet Exelby also picked up his first assist and point on the season.

After the IceHogs battled back to tie it up, Texas responded with another goal to make it 3-2. Dan Spang tipped in the Roman blast from the blue line at 12:38. Francis Wathier also assisted on the play.

Once again Texas extended their lead to two goals. Texas had numbers over the blue line when Colton Sceviour sent the puck cross-ice in front of the net to Raymond Sawada who netted a goal to make it 4-2 at 10:17 in the second period. Trevor Ludwig was also credited with an assist.

Rockford battled back again to cut the deficit to one. Mathis Olimb handled the puck behind the net and found Jeff Taffe on the left circle. Taffe blasted it by Beskorowany top shelf stick side to make it 4-3 at 14:09. Ryan Potulny also marked an assist.

Rockford tied it up again, this time at 4-4 when Taffe threw the puck in front of the Texas net and it deflected off of Potulny and in to pick up his second goal of the night and team-leading seventh of the season at 17:24. Brandon Pirri also helped set up the play.

Seconds after Rockford tied the game, the IceHogs took the lead for the first time making it 5-4 at 17:46. Hagel scored his second of the night off of an Exelby pass. Ivan Vishnevskiy also chipped in with a helper.

Rockford continued the offensive assault in the final frame. Peter LeBlanc netted his first goal of the season in his first game back with the IceHogs, after being recalled from the Toledo Walleye. LeBlanc received a pass from Lalonde on the right circle and wristed in the goal past the glove of Beskorowany to give the Hogs a 6-4 lead at 7:47.

Rockford's offensive kept rolling with a fifth unanswered goal. Ryan Stanton threw a shot on the net from the left boards and Brandon Bollig redirected it past Beskorowany five-hole making it 7-4 at 8:25. Lalonde picked up his second assist on the night.

With three minutes left in the game Texas cut Rockford's lead to 7-5. Brad Lukowich shot the puck on net and Spang picked up the rebound and his second goal of the evening at 17:00.

Rockford put it away with an empty net goal. In desperation, Texas pulled their goalie with under-two minutes remaining in the game. The IceHogs took advantage of the opportunity and Olimb notched his first goal of the season from 55 feet at 17:09. Taffe and Potulny were credited with assists.

Rockford outshot the Stars 38-30 in the game. The combined 13-goals marked an IceHogs single game AHL-high. The IceHogs converted one of their three power play chances while holding the Stars off the board twice on the advantage.

Next Home Game: Friday, Dec. 10 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs host the Admirals at the MetroCentre for the first time in 2010-11. The game is the second of ten meetings on the campaign.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2010


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