Rockford Takes Thrilling 13-Round Shootout Win over Charlotte
March 21, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill. - Mac Carruth turned in a stellar goaltending performance Sunday afternoon that culminated in a 13-round shootout victory for the Rockford IceHogs as they defeated the Charlotte Checkers by a 2-1 score on Star Wars Night.
David Rundblad and Pierre-Cedric Labrie exchanged goals with Derek Ryan and Andrew Miller in the third and fourth rounds of an otherwise scoreless shootout before Matt Fraser potted the game-winner for the IceHogs in the top of the 13th round. After continuing the contest with eight consecutive saves on Charlotte shooters, Carruth finished off the Checkers with a glove save on Patrick Brown in the bottom of the 13th. The 13 rounds in the skills competition matches a franchise record which was set March 27, 2009 against the Houston Aeros.
The first period went goalless despite bona-fide scoring chances for the IceHogs. While playing four-a-side hockey, Ryan Hartman whipped a low shot on John Muse, which was kicked into the high slot with by the right leg of the Checkers netminder. Tanner Kero hopped on the loose puck, but dubbed his follow-up try just wide of the post.
Rockford got on the board early in the middle frame courtesy of a neat combination passing play. Mark McNeill found Jake Dowell along the left wing, who stepped below the goal line before feeding Bryan Bickell at the top of the crease. Bickell converted by hammering the pass under Muse for his 15th tally of the season at 2:25.
Carruth fought hard to preserve the one-goal lead midway through the second, coming up with a series of dazzling stops that culminated with a windmill glove save on a bid from Erik Karlsson.
Ryan appeared to have pulled the Checkers even at the 13-minute mark of the middle period when he backhanded a shot on an empty net while stationed just feet from the net. Carruth sprawled backwards, though, and swept the puck off the line with his blocker to maintain the 1-0 lead.
Ryan did eventually strike to tie the game with 51.2 seconds left in the second period. Charlotte countered a Rockford attack with a 3-on-2 as the period entered its final minute, and Sergey Tolchinsky pulled off a toe-drag before ripping a shot at Carruth. The Checkers leading scorer found the rebound and poked it to the back of the cage for his 21st goal of the season.
The third period went scoreless, forcing an extra five minutes of overtime hockey. Each team had a chance to claim victory, with McNeill nearly striking first. His shot halfway through the overtime hit the glove of Muse before flipping straight up in the air and dropping into the goaltender's pads.
In the closing seconds of the extra frame, Jake Chelios hit the post behind Carruth, and the rebound ricocheted off the back of the Hogs goalie before trickling wide.
Next Home Game: Friday, Apr. 1 vs. San Antonio Rampage at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. for a Blues Flame Lounge Friday. Fans 21-and-older are invited to enjoy live blues music, a happy hour special, and free appetizers at the Blue Flame Lounge on the main concourse.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2016
- Manitoba Moose Post-Game Report - Manitoba vs. Stockton Heat - March 21/16 - Manitoba Moose
- Heat Points Streak Ends After Setback in Winnipeg - Stockton Heat
- IceHogs Take Five-Of-Eight Points in Nailbiting Week 24 - Rockford IceHogs
- Chicago Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- F Pavel Padakin, G Connor Knapp Recalled by Phantoms - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Syracuse Crunch and Syracuse University Combine for Greatest Doubleheader of the Year March 25 - Syracuse Crunch
- Rampage Reassign Cody Corbett to Fort Wayne - San Antonio Rampage
- 'Canes Recall Derek Ryan from Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
- San Antonio Rampage Weekly Update - San Antonio Rampage
- American Hockey League Announces Suspension - AHL
- Coreau Assigned to Grand Rapids by Detroit - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Syracuse Crunch to Host Super Hero Night April 2 - Syracuse Crunch
- Wolf Pack Weekly - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Coyotes Assign Philip Samuelsson to Springfield - Springfield Falcons
- Condors Host Kevin Harvick Night Tuesday - Bakersfield Condors
- Ben Walker Recalled from Tulsa - Manitoba Moose
- Detroit Signs Tangradi to Contract Extension - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Manitoba Moose Weekly - Manitoba Moose
- Ontario Reign Weekly: Reign Prepare for Playoff-Style Weekend in the Inland Empire - Ontario Reign
- Flyers Sign D Reece Willcox to Entry-Level Contract - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Wolf Pack's Nicklas Jensen Earns CCM/AHL Player of the Week Honors - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Hartford's Nicklas Jensen Named CCM/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Texas Stars Weekly Update - Texas Stars
- Heat Look to Push Unbeaten Streak to Five in Manitoba - Stockton Heat
- Falcons Weekly - Springfield Falcons
- #BSenSocial Media Night Friday, March 25 - Binghamton Senators
- Amerks to Host Downtown Career Fair on Friday, April 1 - Rochester Americans
- Ricoh Rock Report - St. John's IceCaps
- 'Comets Throughout the Years' Auction Announced for Friday - Utica Comets
- Rockford Takes Thrilling 13-Round Shootout Win over Charlotte - Rockford IceHogs
- IceHogs 17th Annual Jersey Auction Raises Nearly $75,000 - Rockford IceHogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
