On Wednesday night, the Rockford IceHogs faced a tough test to begin the final 20-game stretch of the season as they hosted the Texas Stars. Already in a Calder Cup Playoff spot, the Stars posed a large threat to the IceHogs’ own playoff push, but Rockford was up for the task. Behind a stellar game from goaltender Collin Delia, the IceHogs were able to come away with a 2-1 win over the Stars.
Wednesday: Rockford IceHogs def. Texas Stars, 2-1
The IceHogs came out firing early in the first period, leading in shots on goal 9-2 at the midway point of the opening frame. Quality chances came from John Hayden and William Pelletier early, but the Stars starting getting shots on Collin Delia in tight late in the period. With just over five minutes to play in the opening period, the IceHogs capitalized on a powerplay chance as Cody Franson netted his third goal of the season to give Rockford the 1-0 lead at the end of the first period. Assists on the goal came from Chris DiDomenico and Adam Clendening. With the assist, Clendening became the IceHogs’ all-time leader in points and assists for a defenseman.
In the second period, the Stars came out with the momentum early but it was Delia making a number of high-danger saves to keep the Rockford 1-0 lead intact. Just over four minutes into the period, the IceHogs made it a 2-0 game as Luc Snuggerud would finish off a chance in-transition for his fourth goal of the season. It would remain that way until the Stars were able to get on the board just passed the 12-minute mark of the period. Greg Rallo was able to put in a rebound off a Sheldon Dries shot past Delia and the IceHogs lead would be cut in half and that is where the second period would end.
The third period began with Rockford having 19 seconds of a penalty kill, but they would kill it off to go two-for-two on penalty-kill at that point of the night. The third period would fly by as the teams both played a very tight, fast-paced period, but neither team had a high quality scoring chance. Late in the period, with their net empty, the Stars were called for too many men on the ice and the IceHogs were able to come away with the hard-fought 2-1 victory. Collin Delia was named first-star of the game, making 38 saves on 39 shots faced. Delia improved his record to 10-6-2 and is 9-2-2 in his last 13 starts.
With 13 of the final 19 games being played on the road, and 14 of the last 19 games being against AHL Central Division opponents, the IceHogs getting a two-point home win is a big momentum boost moving forward. At the conclusion of action on Wednesday night, the IceHogs trail the Iowa Wild for 4th place in the Central Division by just .039 point-percentage points. There’s still work to be done, but the playoffs are very much in-reach for Rockford.
Post-Game Audio
Head Coach Jeremy Colliton:
Forward Anthony Louis:
Forward John Hayden:
What’s Next?
The IceHogs return to action on Friday as they travel north to take on the Milwaukee Admirals. Puck drop against the Admirals is set for 7pm Central Time. Milwaukee currently sits in 6th place behind Rockford in the AHL Central Division at 26-24-5 (57 points, .518 point-percentage). After that, the they will host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday night back in Rockford. Last weekend, the IceHogs took a 4-3 overtime win over the Penguins in Pennsylvania. Puck drop for Saturday night’s game is set for 6pm Central Time at the BMO Harris Bank Center.