Re-capping Rockford's dud of a weekend vs. the Admirals.
(C/ Milwaukee Admirals)
ROCKFORD-- After an exciting home opener for Rockford in which they knocked off Grand Rapids, the Hogs left the second weekend of games with a different taste in their mouth. A struggling powerplay, defensive-zone breakdowns and a lack of creating scoring chances all were contributing factors to a frustrating weekend of IceHogs hockey.
GAME ONE
The IceHogs started off friday night's game with a nice tease-job of the BMO Center faithful, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Cole Guttman got the scoring started with his first of the year off of a nice passing sequence started by Colton Dach and Brett Seney, ending with a Guttman deflection from the slot finding the back of the net. Austin Strand then nabbed his first of the year on a shot from the right circle over the shoulder of Matt Murray.
It was downhill from there.
Milwaukee roared back with two goals in the final five minutes of the first period. Zach L'Heureux capatilized from the low slot in front of Commesso and Adam Wilsby potted a one-time blast from the high slot past Commesso. The Hogs then fell into the Kyle Marino trap. Marino took a few shots at Brett Seney, garnering a repsonse from Brandon Baddock and after that Rockford completely fell out of their high-speed, quick-to-capatalize on any mistake offense and proceeded to be bullied by the big-bodied veterans in Milwaukee's lineup.
Frank Nazar had the loan highlight for Rockford after the first period, scoring his first AHL-goal on a short-handed breakaway:
GAME TWO
I'll be the first to admit, I was out at dinner and did not watch this game. But as soon as the lines were shared via-the Icehogs X account, I knew I probably would not miss much. Earlier in the week, Isaak Phillips was called up to the Blackhawks, leaving Head Coach Anders Sorensen with a decision to make; would it be Colin Felix or DJ King slotting in to replace Phillips? Friday's answer was Colin Felix and he promptly answered with a -4 showing. Not great. Austin Strand on the other hand had a great night, scoring a goal and was a +1.
Now before I say the next part let me clarify, if Austin Strand was hurt going into Saturday, then hand up and I am in the wrong here. But after Felix had a rought night friday and Strand impressed, as long as Strand is healthy, you'd think Strand stays in and DJ King would replace Colin Felix. Wrong. Colin Felix stayed in. Paired with DJ King, in fairness they were respectable, posting a +1. But to sit Strand, one of your only bright spots in a friday night loss, in favor of a guy who posted a -4.... Interesting. Chalk that up as the first questionable decision of the year for Sorensen, rant over.
Onto the recap, Milwaukee jumped right on to the Hogs. 32 seconds in Reid Schaefer potted a friendly-bounce off the wall behind Weeks and it was all Admirals after that.
Milwaukee continued their tough-play as Isaac Ratcliffe instigated Ethan Del Mastro into a fight and in turn received a ten-minute misconduct. Zach Sanford and Kyle Marino met back up for matching roughing minors, and Colin Felix and Navrin Mutter capped off the weekends brawls with matching fighting majors.
Frank Nazar stayed hot as he potted his second goal on the weekend to bring the Hogs within one. In the end Mitchell Weeks made 21 of 24 saves, but the Admirals buried two empty-netters and sealed the deal on an 0-2 Rockford weekend.
Overall, a dissapointing weekend that showed some weaknesses for the Icehogs. They could not compete with the muscle of the Admirals, letting enforcers like Kyle Marino, Isaac Ratcliffe and Navrin Mutter draw them into roughing and fighting penalties, rattling a young-Icehogs roster and pulling them out of their high-flying, fast paced offense that propelled them past Grand Rapids in the seasons-opener. Rockford's success won't come through toughening up and fighting back though. Baddock, Sanford, Dach and Savoie can hold their own but if Rockford wants to find success, it'll come by not falling into the trap set by Milwaukee.
Looking to next weekend, Rockford hits the road for two games in Manitoba against the Moose Saturday and Sunday. Both games start at 2pm, I will have another weekend recap coming the following Monday. You can also find me on X @hogthought for more Icehogs coverage.
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