In the first game of the 2019 portion of the season, the Rockford IceHogs fell 2-1 against the Milwaukee Admirals at home. The IceHogs winless streak reaches five games, going 0-4-1 over that stretch. Milwaukee moves into fourth-place in the AHL Central Division with the win, while Rockford stays in sixth-place.
Milwaukee Admirals Def. Rockford IceHogs, 2-1
IceHogs interim head coach Derek King said prior to Wednesday night’s game that Rockford’s playoff season began with this game against the Admirals. With both teams separated by just one point when the puck dropped, and both just a handful of points behind Central Division leading Chicago Wolves, the IceHogs needed a fast start against Milwaukee. To make things tougher, they would have to do it short-handed as defensemen Jan Rutta and Lucas Carlsson were ruled out before puck drop, leaving the IceHogs with five healthy defensemen.
Out-shot this season in the first period by a -105 shots on goal differential, the first period against Milwaukee gave the IceHogs plenty of chances to get off to that quality start. It didn’t start well, though, as the first high-danger chance was a self-inflicted wound as Matheson Iacopelli backhanded a puck towards goaltender Anton Forsberg and the netminder wasn’t able to handle the surprise pass. Subsequently, Yakov Trenin was there to bury the loose puck for the early 1-0 Admirals lead.
The Rockford IceHogs bench prior to facing the Milwaukee Admirals. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)
The IceHogs had a golden opportunity with four minutes of powerplay time thanks to back-to-back penalties by Admirals defenseman Matt Donovan. Rockford would fail to convert on the extended man-advantage and ended the period down 1-0, but up 15-9 on shots on goal.
Rockford began the second period with an abbreviated powerplay, but again wouldn’t be able to convert. Story of the season against the Admirals this year. It would come back to bite the IceHogs as Milwaukee would extend their lead to 2-0 after Connor Brickley banged home a loose puck away from Forsberg’s glove and into the back of the net just under five minutes into the period. The IceHogs would pick up the intensity late in the second period, but their high-danger scoring chances did not follow and took the 2-0 deficit into the third period.
The Rockford IceHogs and Milwaukee Admirals get into a net-front scrum. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)
The IceHogs were able to take advantage of a fortunate bounce early in the period as Anthony Louis‘ pass bounced off the boards to Tyler Sikura in space, Sikura’s shot on net was then tipped by William Pelletier and found the back of the net for the 2-1 goal. Pelletier’s first goal of the season and the IceHogs had life with just over 13 minutes remaining in regulation. Rockford would mount the pressure on Milwaukee late into the period, and with Forsberg pulled, his two posts and missed an open-net chance, but could not find the equalizing goal.
Anton Forsberg made 25 saves on 27 shots faced but saw his record fall to 7-5-1 on the season after the 2-1 defeat. In the loss, the IceHogs went 0-for-4 on the powerplay, extending their powerplay goalless streak against Milwaukee this season to 0-for-24 through six games. The 2-1 loss also marked the 18th game this season (out of 36 total games so far) in which the IceHogs have held their opponent to two or fewer goals. Rockford holds a 10-4-4 record in those 18 games. The loss marked the third-straight game in which the IceHogs have scored just one goal and lost 2-1 each time.
Rockford now sits at 15-14-7 on the year, good for sixth-place in the Central Division with 37 points, having played the most games in the Division with 36.
Postgame Reaction
Following the 2-1 loss to the Admirals, IceHogs interim head coach Derek King, along with forwards William Pelletier and Tyler Sikura spoke to the media.
From head coach Derek King:
#IceHogs HC Derek King postgame on playoff-like game: "The way we've been playing of late, that's a playoff hockey game for us. We battled til the end and that's all we can ask."#RFDvsMIL #AHL
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) January 3, 2019
#IceHogs HC Derek King postgame on low-scoring offense: "I'd love somebody to get 4-5 goals & run away w/a game so we can cruise into the 3rd. I don't think that's going to happen here w/our team the way we have it. We gotta work hard every game. We did that tonight."#RFDvsMIL
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) January 3, 2019
#IceHogs HC Derek King said nothing serious to Jan Rutta and Lucas Carlsson injuries. Called them "hip and/or groin issues common to what happens after the holiday break." #RFDvsMIL #AHL
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) January 3, 2019
From forward William Pelletier:
#IceHogs William Pellerier on his 1st goal of the season: "Obviously fin to get one on the board, but we have to get the win as a team. We keep battling, working hard but the results are not there."#RFDvsMIL #AHL
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) January 3, 2019
From forward Tyler Sikura:
#IceHogs Tyler Sikura postgame on tight games this year: "It's frustrating. Just have to stick w/it. We have a lot of skilled guys on our team & when they're not going you try to do something different. Just have to get the puck at the net & something will happen."#RFDvsMIL #AHL
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) January 3, 2019
#IceHogs Tyler Sikura on "playoff push" in 2nd half of season: "Thi is the part of the year that's a grind but we have to get points. We know we have the team that can go on a run, we did it last year, hopefully we can put together a little streak."#RFDvsMIL #AHL
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) January 3, 2019
What’s Next?
After Wednesday night’s loss to Milwaukee, the IceHogs return to action on Friday night as they travel to Iowa to take on the Iowa Wild in the first of a home-and-home series. Puck drop for Friday night’s game is set for 7pm CT at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. After that, the IceHogs return home to face the Wild on Sunday afternoon. Puck drop on Sunday is set for 4pm CT at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford. The IceHogs hold a 1-2-1 record against the Wild this season.