IceHogs drop heartbreaker in Fort Wayne
December 23, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Fort Wayne, Ind.- The top two teams in the Western Division clashed once again Wednesday night at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the Rockford IceHogs dropped a heart-breaking 3-2 contest to the Fort Wayne Komets. The Komets clinched the game with a goal in the final minute of regulation.
Rockford came out of the blocks slow Wednesday, and were out shot 19-2 in the first period. Hogs goalie Michel Robinson was up to the task, turning away all 19 shots. The Komets did hop on the board in the second frame when defenseman Shane Kenny tipped in a feed from winger Dustin Virag at 4:55. During the sequence, Hogs winger Brent Sullivan was injured and did not return. Rockford, which began the contest with only 14 players, finished the game with 13 from then on out.
Fort Wayne pushed the lead to 2-0 after a power play goal from Virag at the 11:04 mark. Rockford, however, finally stole the momentum when defenseman Nathan Lutz followed Jason Ralph shot at 17:16 of the period to cut the lead to 2-1.
The IceHogs didn't waste any time tying the game in the third period. After the Hogs killed off a Komets power play, winger Frankie Allen tipped a pass to J.F. Dufour. Dufour set rookie winger Miguel Lafleche up with a perfect pass that the first year skater tipped in at the 4:03 mark.
Both teams then traded scoring opportunities in a free flowing third period featuring two of the top offenses in the league. The Komets received the final break of the game when winger Jonathan Goodwin chipped in a rebound at 19:05 of the period to win the game.
Robinson turned away 34 shots and was the tough luck loser, while Komets goalie Tyler Masters 25 saves were good enough to pick up the win. The Hogs finished 0-for-2 on the power play while Fort Wayne was 1-for-4.
Next Home Game: Wednesday, December 29, vs. Fort Wayne Komets. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Komets make their final visit to the MetroCentre in 2004-05 in another battle of the top two teams in the UHL's Western Division. Wednesday is another Pig Out with the IceHogs and WXRX, 104.9 FM. That's a pulled pork sandwich and a beer for only $5.
• Discuss this story on the International Hockey League 2 message board...
International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 23, 2004
- Wings stadium earns perfect score - Kalamazoo Wings
- Michigan Public Relations Association honors K-Wings with education award - Kalamazoo Wings
- Milwaukee to have familiar Rockford feel tonight - Rockford IceHogs
- Outlaws Announce Eight Player Trade - Kansas City Outlaws
- âDogs make eight-player deal with Outlaws - Richmond RiverDogs
- RiverDogs game night - Richmond RiverDogs
- IceHogs drop heartbreaker in Fort Wayne - Rockford IceHogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
