Staff Report

CLEVELAND- Matthew Highmore got the Rockford IceHogs on the board first in their 20^th anniversary season opener against the Cleveland Monsters at the Quicken Loans Arena, but Cleveland responded with four consecutive goals and the IceHogs ultimately fell 4-1 to their division rivals.

Rockford outshot Cleveland 25-21, but were stymied by former IceHogs goaltender, Jean-Francois Berube who made 24 saves.

Highmore started the scoring for the IceHogs with 2:53 remaining in the first period on a tap-in from a nifty passing play between Highmore, Luc Snuggerud and Victor Ejdsell. The second-year pro picked up where he left off after leading Rockford in goals last season.

Cleveland forward Eric Robinson evened the score just 1:58 into the second period, deflecting a shot from forward Zac Dalpe.

Heading into the third period with the game tied 1-1, the Monsters seized control with a three-goal-outburst. 

Monsters forward Kevin Stenlund broke the tie at the 3:26 mark of the stanza on a shot from the slot assisted by Nathan Gerbe. Forward Vitaly Abramov bolstered the Cleveland lead after a give-and-go play between Abramov and defenseman Michael Prapavess, then Gerbe sealed the deal with a full-ice empty net goal.

The IceHogs will look to get back on track on the second leg of the back-to-back against Cleveland on Saturday at Quicken Loans arena. R.