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AHL Rockford IceHogs

Pirri's Third Period Tally Lifts Rockford Over Chicago

February 24, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Rosemont, Ill. - The Allstate Arena hasn't been kind to the Rockford IceHogs over the years and after the Chicago Wolves tied the game 2-2 in the third period, there was plenty of reason to doubt an IceHogs victory.

But Brandon Pirri tallied with 3:56 left in regulation to help Rockford topple Chicago 3-2 to end a four-game winless streak. Pirri picked up an Andrew Shaw pass in transition and fired his team-leading 21st goal of the season over the outstretched glove of Eddie Lack to give Rockford a late 3-2 lead.

Carter Hutton and the IceHogs held on from there as the Rockford goalie made 22 saves to earn the win.

An odd first period tally put the Wolves on top midway through the frame. In a scrum for a loose puck behind the Rockford goal, IceHogs defenseman Ryan Stanton jammed a puck off the body of Wolves winger Bill Sweat. The puck then deflected off the back glass, over the top of the Rockford goal and off the back of Hutton's left leg and in at 10:36. The goal was credited to Sweat, his 12th of the season.

Rockford tied the game in the second period with Joe Lavin's third goal of the campaign. The rookie d-man one-timed a Brandon Svendsen pass from the left face-off circle and beat Eddie Lack at 4:32 to make it 1-1. Byron Froese was also given an assist on the marker.

The newest member of the IceHogs would later give Rockford a 2-1 lead. Matt Fornataro cleaned up a rebound in front of Lack and the Chicago goal at 8:14 of the second frame for his sixth goal of the season overall and first in an IceHogs uniform. Svendsen and Froese figured in again on the helpers.

Chicago tied the score 12:46 into the third winning a battle in front of the Rockford cage. Tim Miller located a loose puck and knocked home his 16th tally of the year to knot the game 2-2.

Rockford kept Chicago's floundering home power-play at bay, killing off all five Wolves advantages. Chicago has now failed to score on 28 straight power plays on home ice. The IceHogs were 0-3 on the advantage.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 25 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m. Rockford returns home to face the Admirals at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The first 1,500 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs Sock Monkey courtesy of BMO Harris Bank.

For every goal that the Rockford IceHogs score in 2011-12, IceHogs head coach Ted Dent will make a donation to children's cancer research. BMO Harris Bank will also make a donation for every goal to the "BMO Harris Bank Goals For Grades".

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