IceHogs Survive Frostbite 6-4
March 18, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- For the second time in as many nights the Rockford IceHogs fell behind at home 2-0 through one period of play. The difference tonight was that the Hogs overcame that deficit and won 6-4 in front of 6,982 fans, the third largest in franchise history. The Hogs gave up valuable ground in the race for home ice advantage by losing last night to the Richmond RiverDogs 3-2, so it was crucial that they didn't drop two straight home tilts, which to their credit they didn't let happen.
Things got off to the familiar 0-2 hole early when Adirondack winger Greg Koehler slipped a shorthanded goal past Hogs goalie Michel Robinson at 6:15 in the first frame. The Frostbite showed that not having perennial UHL All-Star and past league MVP Hugo Belanger wasn't going to be an issue when they netted a second goal at 11:21 by defensman Dmitri Suur and tookthe two goal advantage to the locker room.
Last night, Rockford couldn't get their power play rolling, going 1-6 with the man advantage, but tonight it was just what they needed to get back in the game. Hogs winger Steve Yetman scored the first goal for Rockford on a power play strike from center Preston Mizzi and winger Olivier Proulx at the 7:27 mark of the second period. Goals by Rockford's Bruce Watson and Mizzi gave the IceHogs a 3-2 lead after two frames.
The final period brought an offensive outbreak by both clubs where a combined five goals were scored, three of them in a three minute span, and all of them even strength. Robinson shutout the Frostbite through the final two periods and kept his hot streak going. The 6-4 victory keeps Rockford as the top team in UHL, but no ground was gained on Muskegon because the Fury beat Quad City tonight 5-3, keeping the two clubs within a point of each other.
Next Home Game: Friday, March 24 vs. Danbury Trashers. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The first 1,000 fans will receive a limited edition bobblehead of head coach Steve Martinson, courtesy of ComEd. The bobblehead commemorates Martinson's 500th coaching victory.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 18, 2006
- IceHogs Survive Frostbite 6-4 - Rockford IceHogs
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Komets defeat Dogs in shootout 3-2 - Richmond RiverDogs
- Collymore and Grover each score two as the Trashers win 5-2 - Danbury Trashers
- Frostbite fall in Rockford 6-4 - Adirondack Frostbite
- Mechanics end week with a 4-1 win over the Jackals - Motor City Mechanics
- River Otters Allow Team Record 59 Shots in 7-2 Loss Against K-Wings - Missouri River Otters
- Game Night Match-Up: River Otters at K-Wings - Missouri River Otters
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