Four third period goals lifts Hogs
Published on January 1, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.-The Rockford IceHogs wrapped up the 2005 calendar year with a 7-2 thumping of the Motor City Mechanics in front of 4,208 at the Rockford MetroCentre on New Year's Eve. Rockford completed Week 11 3-0-0 and pushed their overall unbeaten streak to seven (5-0-2).
Rockford opened the scoring 5:35 into the opening frame when Jason Notermann beat Motor City goalie Rod Branch on a shorthanded breakaway. Then at 8:37 of the first period, defenseman Bob Nardella fired home his second tally of the season while the Hogs were on a 5-on-3 power-play.
The Mechanics came roaring back in the second frame, however, tying the game 2:19 into the middle period. Just 21 seconds in, David Herring knocked a rebound past Ronnie Vogel to cut the lead to 2-1. Then with the Mechanics on the 5-on-3 power-play, Adam Edinger knocked in a Matt Smith rebound to tie the contest. Rockford regained the lead before the second break after winger Bruce Watson tipped in a Matt Gens blast at 10:53.
The third period belonged to Rockford as they exploded for four goals in a span of just over four minutes. The scoring was started by rookie winger Robin Big Snake when he shot in a Yannick Tifu feed at 3:37. Rookie center Steve Yetman made it 5-2 at 6:45 beating Branch before rookie winger Chaz Johnson ripped in a marker at 7:38. Just 18 seconds later Watson finished the Mechanics and chased Branch from the game with his second goal of the night.
Vogel earned the win making 34 saves and Rockford finished the first half of their home schedule with a record of 16-2-1. The Hogs were just 1-for-10 on the power play, but held Motor City to 1-for-9. Winger Jason Ralph chipped in three assists, Tifu and Hessler had two helpers and Johnson, Yetman and Nardella each contributed a goal and an assist.
Next Home Game: Wednesday, Jan. 4 vs. Quad City Mallards. The showdown begins at 7:05 p.m. The top two teams in the Western Division meet in another FlyAway Wednesday at the MetroCentre. A lucky fan will win a pair of airline tickets from Allegiant Air, the Rockford-Chicago International Airport and WXRX-FM 104.9.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 1, 2006
- Daoust's third period goals fuel Trashers' 4-3 comeback win over Adirondack - Danbury Trashers
- Frostbite fall to Trashers - Adirondack Frostbite
- Muskegon Fury notes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- RiverDogs end '05 with shootout loss - Richmond RiverDogs
- Four third period goals lifts Hogs - Rockford IceHogs
- Big third period lifts IceHogs over Mechanics - Rockford IceHogs
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