Rockford makes statement with victory
Published on December 16, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- After starting its current 3-game homestand with two losses where nothing went right, the Rockford IceHogs wanted to make a statement that they weren't packing it in. They accomplished exactly that on Saturday night at the Rockford MetroCentre as the Hogs returned to the win column in a 7-0 thumping of the PrairieThunder.
Rockford center Kevin Ulanski began the scoring onslaught at the 15:39 mark of the first period when he knocked in a point blank rebound shot. The goal was set up by winger Nicolas Corbeil and it was the lone goal of the first frame.
The Hogs added two more goals in the second period. The first of which came at 2:15 when winger Chaz Johnson was fed the puck from d-man Tim Wedderburn after he forced a turnover and got the puck up-ice. The second goal of the period, third of the night, came at 7:50 when Jesse Bennefield picked up a long pass on a breakaway from defenseman Matt Gens and deeked Bloomington goalie Jeff Reynaert for one of the prettiest goals of the season thus far.
The third period brought more of the same as the IceHogs added four more goals to the scoresheet. Chaz Johnson notched his second of the night when he fooled Reynaert at 4:13. At 9:28, Corbeil scored the only power-play goal of the game on a 3-on-1 breakaway.
Rockford's leading goal-scorer, forward Kaleb Betts, got into the action at the 15:11 mark of the third period, beating Reynaert short side for his twelfth goal of the year. Jesse Bennefield notched the final lamp-lighter of the contest at 18:21 on a pass from defenseman Mike Letizia. Bennefield found himself all alone in front and slipped in his ninth of the campaign.
It was a quiet game on the penalty front as Rockford went 1-for-2 on the power play and Bloomington went 0-for-2. Rockford also outshot the Thunder 45-to-16. In the five previous meetings this season between these two clubs the road team won the contest. Tonight marked the first time the home team came out with the win. The two teams next meet on New Year's Eve in Bloomington.
Next Home Game: Saturday, Dec. 23 vs. Flint Generals. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs welcome the surging Flint Generals to town for the first time this season. The Rockford Park District is sponsoring Santa Hat Night where the first 1,000 fans will receive a free IceHogs Santa Hat.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 16, 2006
- Rockford makes statement with victory - Rockford IceHogs
- Flags Serve Up Duck Souffle in 5-2 Victory over Mallards - Port Huron Flags
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
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