Hogs hold off Hounds, 6-4
Published on March 21, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- Two key components earlier in the 2006-07 season for the Rockford IceHogs were forwards Nicolas Corbeil and Kaleb Betts. The combo missed last weekend's three-game set in which the Hogs went 0-2-1, but were back on Wednesday and were big contributors in Rockford's 6-4 win over the Chicago Hounds at the Rockford MetroCentre. The two combined for seven points in helping Rockford to its 41st win of the season.
Betts tallied the IceHogs game-winning goal 12:21 into the third period, giving Rockford its fourth and final lead of the night. Corbeil assisted on the game deciding goal, one of four on the night for the winger, and defenseman Dan Boeser set up Betts on the door-step where he shelved the 17th marker of his rookie season over Brenden Cuthbert. Betts also added two assists on the night. Winger Mike Doyle potted an insurance marker for Rockford, his second tally of the night, at 17:28 of the final period.
The opening frame was controlled by the IceHogs, but the club was up just 2-1 at the first break. Winger Bruce Watson one-timed his fourth goal of the season past Cuthbert at 12:29 before the Hounds tied the score controversially. Winger Tim Plett hand-passed a loose puck off of Rockford goalie Frederic Cloutier in the Hogs zone. The rebound found centerman Mike Brolsma and he buried his 10th goal of the season at 13:36. Hogs winger Jason Ralph gave Rockford its lead back on the power play when he lit his ninth lamp of the season at 17:37.
It took Chicago just :27 to tie the game in the second period as Plett poked a rebound past Cloutier making the score 2-2. The back-and-forth game continued and swayed back to the Hogs side. Doyle tallied his first of the night and 18th of the season at 7:54 to give Rockford a 3-2 advantage.
Maris Ziedins, however, countered with a pair of special teams goals to give the Hounds its only lead of the night. Ziedins picked up a rebound while the Hounds skated 5-on-3 and scored the equalizer at 9:34. Then, with Rockford on a 5-on-3 power play, Ziedins scored a rare tally while two men down at 12:28, his third short-handed goal against Rockford this season and team-leading 23rd goal of the season. The Hounds lead lasted just one-minute though as Hogs center Preston Mizzi beat Cuthbert for his 27th goal of the campaign at 13:28, tying the contest at 4-4.
Cloutier made 20 saves and picked up his club-record setting 34th win of the season. Cuthbert got the loss against his former team turning away 34 shots.
Next Home Game: Friday, March 23 vs. Bloomington PrairieThunder. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The Hogs and PrairieThunder meet for the final time at the MetroCentre. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Nathan Lutz Bobblehead courtesy of ComEd. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Following the game, Lutz will stick around and sign autographs and fans can also check out a Bud Light Post Game Party at Swilligan's Pub immediately following the game.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 21, 2007
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