Rockford moves to 1-0 after an impressive showing in their home opener.
By Jack Masters, Lead Icehogs Analyst, @hogthought on X
ROCKFORD--Amid the fanfare of a Block Party, jersey unveiling, Ring Of Honor inductee unveiling, Home Opener, and multiple prospects making their debuts, it would have been a massive disappointment for the Icehogs to lay an egg in front of 6,242 fans. They did the opposite.
Rockford got goals from Colton Dach, Kevin Korchinski, Cavan Fitzgerald, and Samuel Savoie. Drew Commesso stopped 18 of 19, with Grand Rapids getting a late tally via Brogan Rafferty.
Rockford's first strike came late in the first after Colton Dach created a turnover in the Griffins slot and put one past Cossa's glove side:
Rockford took off in the second period though, After an abysmal first powerplay in which the Hogs failed to even create a stable zone entry, Kevin Korchinski had seen enough and took matters into his own hands on Rockford's next powerplay opportunity. After Drew Commesso settled a puck down behind his net, Korchinski went coast-to-coast for a beautiful chance on Cossa and finished it by burying his rebound five-hole:
Five minutes later, Cavan Fitzgerald introduced himself to the Rockford faithful. Set up by a pass from Frank Nazar, Fitzgerald put one low-glove side on Cossa for his first in an Icehogs sweater:
To wrap things up, Samuel Savoie found the back of the net for his first professional goal. Set up by an excellent stretch-pass from big Louis Crevier to find Gavin Hayes at the blue-line, Savoie jumped in for a 2 on 1 and buried the feed from Gavin Hayes blocker-side on a cross-crease sprawling Sebastian Cossa:
FINAL THOUGHTS :
In short, Rockford played excellent. That's a tough Grand Rapids squad and after watching them manhandle Milwaukee friday night, I had legitimate worries I would be sitting here typing this out after 5-6 adult beverages attempting to breakdown an Icehogs loss to a talented Griffins roster. But have no fear. Rockford's speed and playmaking ability off the rush, paired with a great showing by Drew Commesso lead them tonight.
Looking at the big takeaways from tonight, one thing stands out; this is one talented blueline that Rockford is boasting. Elite skaters and offensive playmakers galore (even without Levshunov) the offensive creativity and firepower showed itself on multiple occasions, goal scored or not. There are legitimate questions to be asked about the actual defensive abilities of guys like Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro and Isaak Phillips though. The Griffins were outshot 33-19 by the Hogs, but there were a couple occasions where Grand Rapids got some solid looks from the slot/high-slot in front of Commesso but were shutdown by either a late arrving Icehog defender or a slow-to-react Griffin forward.
Even Kevin Korchinski showed why he's in Rockford and not Chicago at the moment, when in the first period, Hunter Johannes worked his way down the wing and eventually beating a back-skating Korchinski around the edge towards the net. Korchinski attempted to recover by grabbing/hooking Johannes as he got around the high-circle. Korchinski recieved a hooking call and Johannes recived an embellishment call. Whether Korchinski needed to take that penalty to avoid a high-danger look at Commesso aside, an elite skater like Korchinski should be able to cover those fast-rush around the edge plays without losing the angle and forcing himself to take a penalty. But that is why he's in Rockford, to work those kinks out.
Looking ahead after a fun night at the BMO, Rockford returns to the Ice friday against Milwaukee at the BMO at 7pm. Look for a post game spaces on X to recap that game with myself and Rob Rubio (@MidWstOpeSports on X).
THREE STARS
Colton Dach
Kevin Korchinski
Drew Commesso
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