IHL 2 Rockford IceHogs

Mizzi stays hot as Hogs trounce Thunder

Published on February 7, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Bloomington, Ill.- It took the Rockford IceHogs 44 games to earn its first three-goal performance this season. After Robin Big Snake netted a hat-trick on Saturday in Muskegon, center Preston Mizzi repeated the performance on Wednesday night as the IceHogs pummeled the Bloomington PrairieThunder 6-1 at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Rockford's offense continued its hot play in the opening period and it only took them :56 to score. Mizzi deeked out Bloomington goalie Steffan Braunlich to net his 20th goal of the season, his first goal of the night, to extend his team season high point streak to 10-straight games and tying the club record with goals in five straight contests. The goal was assisted by Jason Ralph and Nathan Lutz. Then on a power play, defenseman Matt Gens blasted home his fourth goal of the season off of a face-off win by Bryce Cockburn. Cockburn's helper extended his point streak to eight straight games.

Mizzi later put Rockford up 3-0 when his slapper beat Braunlich short-side at 15:09 for his team-leading 21st goal of the season. Bloomington got a goal, however, before the intermission while on a 5-on-3 power play. Winger Tyler Rennette was on the receiving end of a perfect feed from John Spoltore and beat Frederic Cloutier for his fifth goal of the campaign.

The Hogs extended its lead to 4-1 in the second period, chasing Braunlich from the game. Doyle poked a rebound past the Thunder puck-stopper for his 11th goal of the season and rookie winger Erick Lizon assisted on the tally.

Rockford added two more markers is the third frame to put the game away. Mizzi notched his third hat-trick in an IceHogs uniform when he one-timed a Jason Ralph pass past Jeff Reynaert at 13:38. Defenseman Corey Hessler completed the Hogs scoring he fired in his third goal of the season while the Hogs skated on the power play at 18:00.

Rockford finished the game outshooting Bloomington 26-22 and Cloutier earned the win making 21 saves. Braunlich was the loser turning away nine of 13 Rockford shots. The Hogs went 2-for-6 on the power play while the Thunder finished the night 1-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.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 7, 2007


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