Interesting reading this story a few years later with the names involved and knowing
that they are engraved on a Stanley Cup!
By Reed Schreck
RRSTAR.COM
Posted Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:35 PM
Last update Apr 14, 2008 @ 07:44 AM
ROCKFORD — An unusual gust of wind emanated from the MetroCentre early Sunday evening.
No need to consult a meteorologist — it simply was the Rockford IceHogs collectively letting out a huge sigh of relief.
The IceHogs beat the Iowa Stars 5-3 to clinch second place in the West Division and, with it, home ice for the first two games of the AHL playoffs.
Rockford will meet the Houston Aeros in the best-of-seven first round, with the first two games set for Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (7:05 p.m.) at the MetroCentre.
“We’re definitely relieved,” said center Colin Fraser of finally clinching second behind Chicago. “All year we talked about getting home ice. We wanted to be first at the start of the year, but we knew what the situation was — win and get home ice in the first round. That’s what we could get, and we’re happy with it.”
The win required a comeback after trailing 2-1, and wasn’t secured until Mike Blunden’s empty-net tally with 00.4 seconds left in the regular season.
“I’m really relieved,” said winger Jack Skille. “For us to be home for a week is really nice. We’ve got a week to get ready and relax, instead of a day or two.”
Head coach Mike Haviland was as pleased Sunday as he was disappointed following Saturday night’s 7-1 setback at Chicago.
“This is a great accomplishment in this division to finish up in second place,” he said.
“Ninety-eight points is a real good year with all the injuries and call-ups we went through. This team battled, and it had to come down to the last day.”
The last period, the last few seconds to be precise, even if all Rockford required was one standings point.
The Stars pulled their goalie to enjoy a 6-on-4 advantage in the final minutes. Then came Blunden’s clincher after Jake Dowell just missed converting.
Kris Versteeg staked Rockford to a 1-0 lead 1:43 into the game to get the crowd of 4,857 into the action early. But Iowa scored twice within 27 seconds to go ahead 2-1 at 7:34.
Troy Brouwer nailed his 35th goal of the season at 5:22 of the second to tie it 2-2.
Derek Nesbitt put Rockford on top for good 3-2 at 8:53, and Fraser upped it to 4-2 at 18:44.
Iowa’s Raymond Sawada’s short-handed tally cut it to 4-3 at 6:41 of the third.
“Saturday night was a rough one, but we had to bounce back,” center Gavin Morgan said. “We started a little rusty. But we talked it over between periods that we had to get back on track.”
“The guys came back and played a pretty solid game,” goalie Corey Crawford said. “The guys didn’t run around like they did Saturday night. They kept it in control. Our team looks good again.”
Jordan Hendry recovering from nasty fall
Rockford IceHogs head coach Mike Haviland offered encouragement that defenseman Jordan Hendry will “be fine” after suffering a serious-looking injury in Sunday’s game.
Hendry landed face-first on the ice after taking an accidental stick from teammate Niklas Hjalmarsson with 15.7 seconds left in the first period.
Medical personnel were immediately summoned, as Hendry bled profusely on the ice after suffering a cut above an eye on the forehead and more cuts below his nose upon impact.
Haviland said Hendry “blacked out” before hitting the ice.
“He was up and talking at the hospital, which is a good sign,” Haviland said 20 minutes after Rockford’s 5-3 win over Iowa. “He’s going to be fine. We’ll see where his concussion is at, if that’s what he had. He did black out.”
Haviland said the team was “pretty emotional” in the locker room during the intermission.
“The team rallied for him,” Haviland said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Hendry,” teammate Gavin Morgan said. “We got the win for him.”
