Hogs battle from behind to knock off Thunder
Published on April 1, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Bloomington, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs used three unanswered goals to top the Bloomington PrairieThunder Sunday afternoon, topping them 3-2 at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. A late power play goal from winger Bruce Watson completed the comeback and the IceHogs capped a nearly flawless season in Bloomington (6-0-1).
Trailing 2-1 entering the final frame, the Hogs tied the contest at 1:12. Winger Paul Brown picked up a drop pass from Nicolas Corbeil and he shelved his seventh goal of the season past Kris Tebbs. Then late in the period, Rockford was skating on its fourth power play of the contest and Watson netted the game-winner when he redirected a Matt Gens blast past Tebbs at 17:53 for his eighth goal of the season.
Rockford dug themselves into a 2-0 hole in the opening frame. While short-handed, Bloomington winger Jon Booras picked up his own rebound a stuffed it around Hogs goalie Frederic Cloutier at 8:36. Then, just before the first intermission, Bloomington capitalized on an IceHogs turnover. Defenseman Tim Schneider picked off a pass and wristed his fourth goal of the season past a screened Cloutier at 19:44.
In the second frame the Hogs cut the deficit in half and came within a second of tying the tilt. Center Preston Mizzi fired home his team-leading 30th goal of the season past Kris Tebbs at 11:24. The goal moved Mizzi into first all-time on the IceHogs career scoring list with 145 points. The Hogs tried to answer the PrairieThunder late first period tally at the end of the second frame. Defenseman Mike Letizia blasted a Robin Big Snake blast past Tebbs, but it was just after the final second period horn sounded, negating the goal.
The Hogs outshot the Thunder 40-23 and Cloutier earned his 37th win of the season after making 21 saves. Rockford also hit the 45 win plateau for the third straight season. The IceHogs tied a club mark for most wins against an opponent in a season as they went 10-1-2 against Bloomington in 2006-07.
Next Home Game: Wednesday, April 4 vs. Muskegon Fury. The puck is slated to drop at 7:30 p.m. The Hogs and Fury meet for the final time during the regular season as Rockford begins the final week of the season. Wednesday is another Dollar Day at the MetroCentre presented by the rock station 104.9 FM, WXRX. Fans can purchase regular size hot dogs, soft drinks, select candy items and peanuts for just $1.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 1, 2007
- Rockford rallies past PrairieThunder, 3-2 - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Hogs battle from behind to knock off Thunder - Rockford IceHogs
- Flags Fall Short in Shootout to Wings, 2-1 - Port Huron Flags
- Port Huron Exposed by Flint, 7-2 - Port Huron Flags
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
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