Rookie nets hat trick and adds an assist in 6-1 victory
December 30, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- Rockford IceHogs rookie center Yannick Tifu put together a career night, helping the IceHogs to a 6-1 win over the Roanoke Valley Vipers before 3,856 at the Rockford MetroCentre. The win gave IceHogs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Steve Martinson his 500th career regular season win as a head coach. Tifu tallied 3g-1a-4pts, while fellow rookie winger Robin Big Snake chipped in three assists to push Rockford's unbeaten streak to six games (4-0-2).
Tifu scored twice to give the Hogs the early 2-0 lead. Tifu's first marker came at 11:43, moments after a Rockford power play expired. The rookie then notched his second goal at 14:20, maneuvering through traffic and sliding home his ninth goal of the season past Jamie Hodson. Rookie winger Chaz Johnson completed Rockford's first period barrage at 18:10, deflecting in a Tifu pass for the 3-0 lead.
In the second period Roanoke grabbed the momentum, out shooting Rockford 14-10, but only mustered one goal. At 15:48 Mike Wiggins batted a rebound past Hogs goalie Michel Robinson to cut the lead to 3-1.
The Hogs regained control in the third period, however, lighting the lamp three more times. Center Olivier Proulx tallied on the power play, tipping in a Matt Gens blast at 4:36 giving Rockford a 4-1 advantage. Rookie winger Paul Falco then blew a slap shot by Hodson at 12:54 before Tifu completed his hat trick at 18:10 of the final frame.
Rockford out shot Roanoke 47-33 in the contest and held them to 0-for-4 on the power play. Robinson picked up his eighth win of the campaign making 32 saves and the Hogs finished the contest 1-for-5 on the advantage. Martinson is believed to be the quickest coach in pro hockey history to reach the 500-win plateau. Friday's game was career game 722 for Martinson behind the bench.
Next Home Game: Saturday, Dec. 31 vs. Motor City Mechanics. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The Hogs and Mechanics clash in a New Year's Eve tilt at the MetroCentre. The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive and IceHogs Rally Towel from Belvidere Physical Therapy.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 30, 2005
- Rookie nets hat trick and adds an assist in 6-1 victory - Rockford IceHogs
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