Staff Report

CLEVELAND – The Rockford IceHogs got off to another fast start thanks to the Sikura brothers, but the Cleveland Monsters scored five straight goals to skate away with a 5-2 win at the Quicken Loans Arena Saturday afternoon.

The Sikuras struck first for Rockford, as Tyler Sikura redirected a centering pass from Dylan Sikura for a power-play-goal at the 13:53 mark of the first period. Before Friday’s season-opener, the two had not played organized hockey together since high school, making this the first time the brothers have connected for a goal in their professional careers.

Cleveland’s Eric Robinson answered just 27 seconds later, and the Monsters never looked back. Zac Dalpe gave the Monsters the lead just over a minute after Robinson’s tally, then Robinson scored his second of the game with only 9 seconds remaining in the first.

Kole Sherwood and Dalpe added to the Cleveland lead in the second frame, giving the Monsters a four goal cushion heading into the third.

Lucas Carlsson provided a response for the IceHogs with his first career AHL goal 7:50 into the third period, but Cleveland held on for the 5-2 victory.

The IceHogs will look to secure their first win of the season in the home-opener against their playoff nemesis, the Texas Stars next Saturday at the BMO Harris Bank Center. R.

NEXT HOME GAME: Saturday, Oct. 13 vs. Texas Stars, 6 p.m.