Hogs finally solve the shootout
Published on February 2, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Kalamazoo, Mich.- It took nearly a year, but the Rockford IceHogs won a shootout. The Hogs squandered a two-goal third period lead against the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday night at Wings Stadium, but rebounded in the extra session to pick up a pair of points in a 5-4 win.
Rockford entered the shootout with just three goals in the clubs first 19 shootout attempts on the season. That would change on Friday as Bryce Cockburn, Preston Mizzi and Erick Lizon all netted shootout markers while Hogs goalie Frederic Cloutier held the Wings off the board.
The first 20:00 of hockey didn't feature any goals, but it did contain face-off free hockey for over nine minutes at the tail end of the first period. The second period began with three goals, however, including a marker just :18 in. Mizzi won a draw in the Wings zone and d-man Luke Fritshaw slapped in his fourth tally of season.
Later on a power play Cockburn batted in a rebound from a Mizzi shot at 4:56 to give Rockford the 2-0 advantage. Kalamazoo struck back less than a minute later when center Kory Karlander riffled in his 25th goal of the season past Cloutier at 5:51.
The two clubs traded two more goals in the middle frame making the contest 3-2 at the second intermission. Hogs centerman Kevin Ulanski flipped in his 15th goal of the season past Ryan Nie at 11:05 before Lucas Drake reduced the Wings deficit to a goal while on the power play at 16:49, sinking his 11th goal of the season.
Rockford regained its two-goal lead in the third period when Mizzi wripped in his 18th goal of the season, tying the IceHogs record for most career goals in an IceHogs uniform. Mike Figliomeni also has 56 career IceHogs goals.
Once again though, the Wings battled back. Center Glenn Detulleo deflected a Casey Handrahan drive past Cloutier at 4:31 Making the score 4-3. Karlander later tied the tilt at 11:27 snapping home his 26th lamp lighter of the season forcing the shootout.
Rockford outshot the Wings 34-32 and Cloutier made 28 saves to earn his 20th win of the season. The Hogs finished 1-for-7 on the power play while the Wings went 2-for-6.
Next Homestand: Friday, Feb. 9 vs. Flint Generals. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The Hogs and Generals meet up at the MetroCentre once again. The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive IceHogs Poster #5 from Pepsi, Medicine Man, Johnson Press and the Rockford Register Star.
Saturday, Feb. 10 vs. Muskegon Fury. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The UHL's top team returns to the MetroCentre. The first 1,000 fans to the game and through the turnstiles will pick up a Hammy Hog Piggy Bank from Members Alliance Credit Union and 23WIFR.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 2, 2007
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Port Huron Snaps Eight-Game Skid in 3-2 Victory in Muskegon - Port Huron Flags
- Wray's Two Goals Give Jackals Second Straight Win - Elmira Jackals
- Hogs finally solve the shootout - Rockford IceHogs
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Muskegon's Todd Robinson and Fort Wayne's St. Pierre earn monthly honors - IHL 2
- Flags Announce Changes in February Promotional Calendar - Port Huron Flags
- Fort Wayne's Matt Syroczynski named Easton UHL Rookie of the Month - IHL 2
- PrairieThunder game on radio tape delay - Bloomington PrairieThunder
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