Behind the first professional hat-trick of Matthew Highmore‘s career, the Rockford IceHogs were able to get a victory over the Iowa Wild, 3-1 on Wednesday Night. The win not only gives the IceHogs a three-game winning streak, but also put a stop to the Wild’s own five-game winning streak and puts the IceHogs into second place in the AHL Central Division.
Highmore carries IceHogs over Wild
Coming into the game, Highmore had tallied 12 points in 17 games for Rockford and was second on the team in scoring behind Vince Hinostroza. Following the hat-trick, Highmore still sits second in the team in scoring with 15 points, but now leads the team in goals with 9 on the year.
Highmore got Rockford on the board early in the first period with his 7th goal of the year, tipping in a shot from Luc Snuggerud. The IceHogs would take that 1-0 lead into the second period, out-shooting the Wild 14-6 in the period.
In the second period, Highmore would play the role of garbage man as he was able to pot home the rebound of an Anthony Louis tip shot. Highmore’s 8th of the season put the IceHogs up 2-0 mid-way through the period and it would stay that way going into the final frame.
Late into the third period, Highmore would complete the natural hat-trick with less than five minutes to play in the game. It’s the first professional hat-trick of Highmore’s career after being a free agent signing for the Blackhawks this summer out of Saint John’s of the QMJHL. While the Wild were able to get one back late in the period, the IceHogs were able to get the win, 3-1 the final, out-shooting Iowa 40-22 on the night.
Congrats @MHighmore15! First pro hat trick!
(11/22/17 vs. Iowa) pic.twitter.com/JQZuvGKBpF
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) November 23, 2017
J.F. Berube notches his sixth win of the season, snapping a five-game skid with a 23-save performance, and helping Rockford improve to 11-7-0 on the season. With 22 points in the standings and a .611 points percentage, the IceHogs sit alone in second in the AHL Central Division, trailing the Manitoba Moose (12-5-2, 26 pts) with a .684 points percentage.
On the special teams side, the IceHogs were able to kill all seven Wild powerplays faced, improving their penalty-kill to 25th in the AHL at a 79.5% kill-rate. While the penalty-kill was solid, Rockford’s powerplay continues its current drought, going empty on five opportunities on the man-advantage against Iowa. With the five missed chances, the IceHogs have not scored a powerplay goal in their last 27 opportunities and are a staggering 1-40 since their four powerplay-goal night against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Oct. 28.
Postgame Media
Head Coach Jeremy Colliton:
Matthew Highmore:
J.F. Berube:
What’s Next?
The IceHogs will have American Thanksgiving day off before hosting the Iowa Wild in a rematch of Wednesday night’s game, on Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm CT for Friday’s game at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford.
Rockford closes the weekend on the road against the Chicago Wolves on Saturday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm CT at the Allstate Arena in Chicago for the second Illinois Lottery Cup match-up of the season. The IceHogs won the first game against the Wolves in a shoot-out on Sunday, Nov. 19.