IceHogs top Kalamazoo in wild game three
April 20, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs took a commanding three-games-to-none best-of-seven series lead over the Kalamazoo Wings on Tuesday night, beating them 6-4 in front 2,874 at the Rockford MetroCentre. It was the usual suspects for Rockford on offense, as they had seven skaters with multi-point games.
Rockford took a 1-0 lead in the first period while skating on the power play. Winger Brandon Segal picked up his fifth goal of the playoffs blasting a marker past goalie Chad Alban at 10:20. The goal was Rockford first of four power play tallies on the night. Rockford didn't have any in the first two games.
In the second frame, Kalamazoo responded with two quick power play goals to take their first lead of the series. Defenseman Daniel Carriere blasted in a 5-on-3 goal at 14:25 to tie the score. Just 59 seconds later, veteran winger Kevin Kerr tipped in the go ahead goal while Wings were still on the advantage.
Rockford then tied the game with their second power play goal of the night. Winger Jason Ralph fired home his first goal of the post-season at 17:30. The Hogs grabbed the lead back on the 4-on-4, the games first even strength goal, after center Olivier Proulx beat Alban at 19:28. Kalamazoo would tie the contest back up before the break however, when Andrew Luciuk snuck in his second goal of the series at 19:54.
In the third period, Rockford would nail down two more power play goals to take the lead again. Segal netted his second of the night while Rockford enjoyed a 5-on-3 power play at 3:45 to take a 4-3 lead. Center J.C. Ruid would then tally his first of the playoffs at 8:15 on the advantage for a 5-3 lead. The Wings wouldn't go away as Josh Elzinga fired in a marker at 11:37 to cut the lead back to one. Proulx sealed the contest however, shooting home an empty net goal at 18:12.
The IceHogs out shot the Wings 38-37 in the game. Goalie Michel Robinson turned away 33 Kalamazoo shots to pick up his third win of the post season. Rockford finished the night 4-for-12 on the power play, while Kalamazoo was 2-for-12 on the advantage. The 12 power plays is the most in a game for Rockford in franchise history.
Next Home Game: Wednesday, April 20 vs. Kalamazoo Wings. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Game Four of the first round of the Colonial Cup Playoffs. The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive a 2004-05 Rockford IceHogs highlight DVD presented by FatWallet.Com and sponsored by Dental Dimensions, Featherstone Clinic and Metro Medical Services. Also, the first 500 fans will receive a fly swatter from Swat Pest Control.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 20, 2005
- Trashers blow out Adirondack, 6-1, to take 3-0 series lead - Danbury Trashers
- River Otters Defeat Komets 3-2; Series Heads Back to Fort Wayne - Missouri River Otters
- Reynolds and Valicevic earn year-end league honors - Flint Generals
- Mike Kompon Named UHL Rookie of the Year - Quad City Mallards
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Snesrud and Dombkiewicz Earn Postseason Honors - Missouri River Otters
- Quad City's Kompon named UHL Rookie of the Year - IHL 2
- Kalamazoo Wings Week In Review - Kalamazoo Wings
- IceHogs top Kalamazoo in wild game three - Rockford IceHogs
- UHL announces All-Star Teams - IHL 2
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