IHL 2 Rockford IceHogs

Rockford's win streak comes to an end

Published on January 26, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Coming into Week 14 of the 2003-04 UHL season, the Rockford IceHogs had won two in a row and four of six overall. At week's end the Hogs are now looking to rebound from two tough weekend loses away from the MetroCentre. Rockford will continue their five-game road swing during Week 15 with a light two game schedule.

Wednesday, January 21st: Quad City 3 vs. Rockford 5: For the third straight game, the Rockford IceHogs received a hat trick. This time it was winger Donnie Margettie netting the three goals, propelling the IceHogs to the 5-3 win over the Quad City Mallards in front of 2,349 at the Rockford MetroCentre on Wednesday. The win was Rockford's third straight victory. It was the Mallards who jumped out to the early 1-0 lead when winger Drew Otten slipped one past IceHogs goalie Ronnie Vogel at 9:04 of the opening period. The IceHogs would then explode for three goals in 2:17 at the end of the first frame. The Hogs started the barrage at 17:07 with Margettie's first of the contest while on the power play. IceHogs center Steve Cygan would give Rockford the 2-1 lead at 18:02 of the period, set up nicely by defenseman Nathan Lutz. Margettie tacked on the Hogs third goal of the period at 19:19. Center Justin Cardwell assisted on the goal, extending his point streak to seven games, tying Jeff Johnstone for the longest streak of the season. After Quad City winger Lanny Gare made it 3-2 at 8:13 of the second period, Cygan registered his second of the night to swing the momentum back to Rockford's side at 18:53, giving the Hogs their two-goal cushion back. The Mallards would cut into the lead once again in the third period to make things interesting however. Defenseman Tom Menicci tallied a marker at 14:59 to make the contest a one-goal affair. But with Mallards goalie Jeff Reynaert on the bench in favor of the extra skater, Margettie blocked a shot back in the Rockford zone and skated in uncontested at 19:56 for the empty net goal to complete his first career hat trick. Rockford now has five hat tricks this season through 40 games. Vogel finished the night with 40 saves to pick up his 15th win of the season. Margettie finished the game with 3g-1a-4pts plus completed the "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" after being assessed a major for fighting Fredrick Jobin in the second period.

Saturday, January 24th: Rockford 1 at Missouri 4: For the second time in a week, the IceHogs traveled to Missouri, to face-off against the River Otters in an afternoon affair. Only this time, the results were different as Missouri knocked off Rockford 4-1 behind a pair of goals from Errol McDonald. McDonald, appearing in his second game with Missouri, put the Otters on the board first with a goal at 13:11 of the opening period. The Hogs would tie the contest after winger Justin Cardwell tallied at 10:05 of the second period to extend his point streak to a team season high eight-straight games. Missouri, however, would strike back with two quick goals to take control of the game. Defenseman Bob Rapoza gave the River Otters their lead back at 12:54 of the middle period before McDonald put Missouri up by a pair at 14:03. Winger Jeff Petruic would put the game out of reach at 10:06 of the third period when he poked home his own rebound past Hogs goalie Ronnie Vogel on a three-on-one breakaway. Petruic finished the contest with 1g-2a-3pts. Missouri puck stopper Duane Derkson stopped 24 of 25 Rockford shots to pick up his first win in an Otters uniform.

Sunday, January 25th: Rockford 2 at Kalamazoo 8: Rockford began a stretch of four games in 14 days against the Kalamazoo Wings on Sunday, and they wish they could get a do over. Kalamazoo pummeled Rockford 8-2 at Wings Stadium behind winger Marty Flichel's three goals and two assists. Flichel put Kalamazoo up quickly in the first period with a power play goal at 2:55 when he blasted one past Hogs goalie Paul Schonfelder from the point. Rockford would tie the game with a power play goal of their own at 10:50 of the first when defenseman Kenzie Homer one-timed a Dale Junkin pass, past Wings net minder Chad Alban. Kalamazoo would tally twice more however before the intermission to take a 3-1 lead into the lockerroom. Winger Nick Bootland scored a power play goal at 12:04 followed by the game's first even strength goal from Flichel at 19:34. A quick strike second period goal by Hogs rookie center Maris Ziedins made the score 3-2 at 1:05 of the second period, putting the Hogs back in the game. Wings forward Andrew Luciuk would push the Kalamazoo lead back to two-goals with his marker at 15:24. After Flichel completed his hat trick at 2:58 of the third, Kalamazoo put the game away with three goals mid-way through the third period. Winger Tyler Willis (10:35 and 11:20) scored on back-to-back shifts before Bootland put the icing on the cake at 11:42 to complete the eight goal barrage.

Transactions

Forward Dave Paradise was placed on the 7-Day Injured Reserve on Monday, January 19th. Winger Dale Junkin was activated from the 21-Day Injured Reserve on Wednesday, January 21st. Defenseman Bob Nardella was placed on team suspension on Thursday, January 22nd.

Bacon Bits:

The IceHogs gave up a season high 52 shots and eight goals to the Kalamazoo Wings on Sunday.

Sunday was the first of four games in 14 days against the Wings.

Winger Justin Cardwell's team season high eight game point streak came to an end on Sunday. During his hot stretch, Cardwell had 9g-4a-13pts.

The IceHogs penalty kill has been unblemished at home as of late, stopping their opponents last 20 power play attempts. Overall at home the Hogs PK is ranked 3rd (85.6%), but are 9th (77.5%) on the road.

All-Star winger Kelly Miller had his IceHogs season high four game assist streak come to an end on Sunday. Miller has already set career highs with 17 assists, 25 points and 65 penalty minutes this season.

With winger Donnie Margettie's three-goal performance on Wednesday against Quad City, the Hogs have a franchise record four hat tricks in the month of January.

Margettie still leads the UHL with 19 major penalties.

Hot Hogs: Week 14

Winger Donnie Margettie: Margettie registered the IceHogs fourth hat trick in the month of January when he had 3g-1a-4pts against the Quad City Mallards on Wednesday. The three-goal performance was the first by Margettie in his seven year professional career.

Upcoming Games:

Friday, January 30th at Quad City Mallards. Game time is 7:00 p.m. Rockford hits the road and travels to Moline, Illinois to face off with their Western Conference rival the Quad City Mallards. The game marks the Hogs fourth of five visits to the MARK of the Quad Cities this season.

Saturday, January 31st at Kalamazoo Wings. Game time is 6:35 p.m. The IceHogs return to Wings Stadium to play the Wings for the second time in a week.

All 76 on Y95:

Catch all 76 Regular Season and all Playoff games on the official radio home for the Rockford IceHogs, Y95, 95.3 FM. The broadcast begins with the SBC Pregame Show and make sure to give your opinion during the post game call in show following each home game at (815) 874-3953.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 26, 2004


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