The IceHogs were in bad shape.
Down 3-1 in the second period, Rockford saw its Calder Cup playoff hopes sinking Tuesday at UWM-Panther Arena in Milwaukee. But then the IceHogs steered the ship with a three-goal rally with Dylan Sikura scoring the game-tying goal at 4:38 in the third period and game-winning goal at 3:21 in overtime for a 4-3 victory.
Rockford, the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, sits one point back of a potential playoff berth in the AHL’s Central Division with two games remaining in the regular season.
Lucas Carlsson had a goal and an assist, while Reese Johnson dished out two primary assists. Collin Delia stopped 14 of 17 shots to pick up his third win in his last four outings.
Reese Johnson won a faceoff then Luke Johnson flicked the puck off from the left faceoff circle off the left post and into the net just 40 seconds into the game for a 1-0 Rockford lead.
Cole Schneider deflected Eeli Tolvanen’s shot from the point to tied it with a power-play goal at 4:10 in the first during a Chad Krys high-sticking penalty.
Anthony Richard gave the Admirals the lead with a wrister from the right faceoff dot at 12:05 in the first then Justin Kirkland made it 3-1 lead at 8:08 in the second period with a blast from the blue line past a screened Delia.
Carlsson started the IceHogs’ rally with a snap shot from the left circle at 12:43 of the second. Sikura tied it after Reese Johnson collected a rebound from his own shot and found Sikura, who ripped a shot top shelf to Grosenick’s blocker side.
In overtime, Sikura fired a wrister from the left circle over Grosenick’s glove for his 17th goal of the season.
Up next
The IceHogs return to action Saturday against the Iowa Wild in Des Moines before playing their regular-season finale Sunday against the Admirals in Rockford.