All We Do Is . . . Go To OT!

The second game of a 3-in-3 came to Rockford on Saturday night, bringing with it tired players and an excited crowd. The BMO was rocking which is always great to see. The Cleveland Monsters were in town. I don't know if I'll ever forgive them for sweeping us in the playoffs a few seasons ago. There are just some things you can't let go of.

Saturday night's contest was also the return (again) of Collin Delia after he was sent back to us coming off a crazy 3rd period relief performance in Toronto. Crawford was suffering from the flu and Collin took the net facing 30 shots in the process but securing the win.

The Hogs got off to a good start. They didn’t look like they had played Friday night. They were skating well and getting some shots off, but they took the first penalty of the game. It always sucks the air out of the building when your team is the first to kill a penalty, especially when the game is scoreless. Just don't give up that first goal.

The IceHogs came away with a perfect kill, thankfully. As soon as the two minutes were up, Pelletier hit Victor Edjsell with a perfect feed. He out waited the goaltender and tucked it behind him on the breakaway. It was a beautiful goal and the BMO went wild! Breakaway goals are some of my favorites. I'm also one of the minority that enjoys shootouts. Seeing what kind of creativity a shooter comes up with is really fun. Or, you have the flip side where you get to see your goalie's skills on display. Let's just pretend they always turn out well for the IceHogs. I like that idea.

Cleveland tied the game with 2:26 to go in the first period off a wraparound goal that just squeaked by Collin Delia.

They went into the first period tied 1-1. Shots were 13-10 Cleveland after first period. At one point, a Monster landed on Collin’s left leg in a weird way and he was in some pain. We’ll just have to hope it was a stinger and nothing more serious.

Heading into the second period, we needed a strong performance to make the third period easier on the team.

With a minute and a half gone, Blake Hillman rifled one over the goalie’s glove. I almost didn’t believe it went in. It just seemed too easy. There was nothing really happening, and then there was a puck hitting the back of the net. I saw it happen. I knew it was in. But it took me a second to actually celebrate. It was a strange time. But, it was Hillman’s first goal of the season! That should be exciting for the rookie blue-liner. I was excited for him, once my brain caught up to what was happening.

The game became a bit scrappy and the teams both had guys in timeout. AKA - a 4 on 4 situation. The Monsters decided that one guy in timeout wasn't enough which led to an extended 4 on 3 of the IceHogs. PERFECT! This is a great chance to go ahead by two. When there are only 3 defenders on the ice, just get them moving, open up some lanes, and put that puck in the net! Or, that's how it works in theory. The Hogs did none of that.

Cleveland came down and scored a short-handed goal as the first two penalties expired. It was a perfect passing play, and Delia had almost no chance on it. Those almost make me more frustrated that soft goals. Although, ask me again after a soft goal goes in and I will change my mind. Being a hockey fan is a fickle thing, okay?!

The IceHogs got a power play with under 8 minutes left in the second. This would have been a great chance to get the go ahead goal and some peace of mind headed into the third period. Instead, they cashed in a power play that was nothing to write home about. The Monsters got the best chance while short handed. Moving on . . .

Collin Delia came up with some huge saves with under 3 minutes to keep the game tied. His leg must have been feeling okay. After he looked in pain during the media timeout, he bounced back strong. I only hope it’s not a lingering thing that bugs him for the rest of the season.

Shots were 22-20 Cleveland after the second. Somehow. I don’t know where all of our phantom shots came from. We had 10 but it felt more like 2. But, this is why I write about what I see and don’t keep the official shot clock.

With the game tied, you’d expect the third period to be full of action . . . No, not really. Collin made some great saves on the PK to kick off the period, but that was about it. Both teams were getting shots off, and as the clock ran down it started getting a bit stressful. We needed two points badly for the playoff race, so each shot by Cleveland was a little heart-stopping. But the IceHogs held down the fort and took this thing to overtime . . . awesome.

Overtime can be your best friend or your worst enemy depending on the circumstances that got you there. In this game, I was fine with it. I felt confident that the boys would pull out a win. Sometimes you just get a feeling.

Shots were 33-31 Cleveland after 3. Going into OT tied 2-2.

There was some great back and forth action in overtime. There were a few more heart-stopping chances by Cleveland, but COLLIN DELIA, LADIES AND GENTS!!!! He came up with a MASSIVE save to keep the game alive which led to . . .

ICEHOGS WIN ICEHOGS WIN ICEHOGS WIN!!!! 3-2 1:15 INTO OVERTIME! Peter Holland with the snipe and the fans get to go home happy! Oh, I bet the players are just a little thrilled as well.

What a game. What a team. Strap in and get ready because the third game in three nights is TONIGHT! Puck drops at 4:00 pm at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Grab your tickets and let’s cheer them on to another win!

I can’t end this piece without telling you about one of the coolest things that has happened to me. Cat Silverman of The Athletic and InGoal Magazine reached out to me and my dear friend Jacalyn for our opinions on what it’s like to be a fan of an AHL team. I felt so honored, and the piece came out awesome. You can check that out here (there’s even a photo of yours truly): https://theathletic.com/868746/2019/03/14/inside-the-life-of-an-ahl-fan-the-double-edged-sword-of-cheering-for-the-farm/