The 'Hogs responded with their first powerplay goal of the season, when 19-year-old rookie Jeremy Morin notched his first professional goal of his young career. Morin was camped out on the doorstep and picked up the loose puck and slapped it home, tying the game at 1-1.
Surprisingly enough, there were a grand total of six (6) shots in the first period; two from Peoria and four from Rockford.
The second period was not kind to Rockford as the Rivermen netted three straight goals before Rockford would answer.
Phil McRae tagged the first goal of the second period, while former San Antonio Rampage forward David Spina recorded the second, and Nicholas Drazenovic tallied the third goal of the period, putting the Rivermen ahead 4-1.
Rockford's leading shooter for the game, defenseman Shawn Lalonde (four shots) connected late in the second, closing the gap to 4-2 at the end of two. The end of the second period also signaled the end of Toivoinen for the night, as he surrendered four (4) goals on 14 shots.
For the record, all goals Toivoinen let in were not entirely his fault. Peoria's third goal was a direct result of sloppy defensive play by Lalonde. While moving towards the defensive blueline, Lalonde misplayed a soft pass, leading to a 2-on-1, and an easy goal for Peoria.
Richards wouldn't fair any better in net, either, as Peoria tallied two more powerplay goals in the third period, sealing the victory with a 6-2 final. Richards finished off with two (2) GA in 10 shots faced.
Rockford was a dismal 2 for 6 on the penalty and 1 for 6 on the powerplay. In three games this season, Rockford is 5 for 12 on the kill and 1 for 12 with the advantage. Obviously, coach Bill Peters needs to get his special teams together before the team gets too far behind early in the season.
The 'Hogs travel to Abbotsford, British Columbia to face the Abbotsford Heat for a two-game series Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15-16, with the first night being the Heat's home opener.
The 'Hogs return home Oct. 22 to face the same Abbotsford Heat.
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