IceHogs in disappointing win; Best minute was the first

The Rockford IceHogs took the Rochester Americans 2-1 tonight at the Blue Cross Arena War Memorial. The game started with Sean McMorrow and Riley Emmerson dropping the gloves as the puck dropped. But in a game with ten power play opportunities, the only goals were even strength goals. All in all, the first few seconds were probably the best of the game. I hope you weren't late.

The Amerks have struggled all year. Even in the generous world of hockey, they are listed as having a win percentage of only 37.5 percent. Their 36 points is the rock bottom of the league.

It's a sad situation for a team with more championship banners than most professional sports. The power play AND the penalty kill of the Amerks are awful. Just looking at the stats, they actually look a lot like those of the Chicago Wolves. However, the Wolves are finding ways to win and even seem to be reversing problems in defense and power plays.

But, it looks beyond hope for the Amerks this season. So, it was a little surprise that there was enough fight in them to stay within one of the Rockford IceHogs tonight. The stats show Rockford gave Rochester a 5:3 in the first frame that didn't score. In the second, Rochester gave Rockford two excellent scoring: a major and in the final minute of the second period, a 5:3. Rockford couldn't score on either.

That's wrong and disappointing. The Hogs need to swallow the opposition whole when these chances come.

Jake Dowell had a goal and an assist in the game. Pascal Pelletier had the other of the two Rockford goals and five shots on goal. Corey Crawford received the win with 31 saves. Tyler Plante received the loss with 31 saves for the Amerks.