Rockford burn Hay, Flags in win
March 31, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Port Huron, Mich.-Suffering through its longest losing streak of the season, the Rockford IceHogs found relief, topping the Port Huron Flags 4-1 at the McMorran Place Arena to break out of a five-game winless drought. Center Preston Mizzi led the attack with a pair of goals for the IceHogs.
Rockford got out the gate quickly with a pair of first period markers to grab the 2-0 lead. Rookie winger Robin Big Snake continued his mastery of the Flags, netting his 27th goal of the season at 6:30 Big Snake has six goals in six games against Port Huron. Later, at 12:27 of the opening period, hammered in his team leading 31st tally of the campaign off of a perfect centering pass from winger Rob Voltera.
After a scoreless second frame, rookie defenseman Matt Gens blasted home his fourth goal of the season on the power play at 8:39, beating goalie Scott Hay to push the Rockford lead to 3-0. The Flags would answer on the power play to ruin Hogs goalie Ronnie Vogel's shutout bid at 13:21 when winger Ryan Markham flipped in a goal to make the score 3-1. That's as close as the Flags would get as Mizzi added his second of the night into an empty net at 19:26.
Vogel finished the contest with 23 saves to earn the win while Hay was solid making 34 saves in the losing effort. Both clubs finished the contest 1-for-5 on the power play. With the win, Rockford reduced its magic number to clinch its first ever division title to three points.
Next Home Game: Friday, April 7 vs. Quad City Mallards. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. Rockford will hold its Annual Jersey Auction for charity following the game in the final meeting with the Mallards. The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive a T-shirt featuring the Lt. Hammy logo courtesy of Saturn of Rockford, Dental Dimensions, Axberg Heating and 13WREX. Sunday, April 9 vs. Muskegon Fury. The first 500 kids 12-and under to the game will receive an IceHogs hockey puck courtesy of Insurance King.
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