Staff Report

CEDAR PARK, Texas — The Rockford IceHogs are now five points from playoff position in the Central Division after falling 2-1 to the Texas Stars at H-E-B Center Friday.

Ty Dellandrea scored on a penalty shot at 12:51 in the third period to break the tie. The penalty shot was awarded after Dellandrea streaked up the left side on a breakaway and was taken out of the play. On the penalty shot, Dellandrea skated to the left circle and blasted a top-shelf shot that beat Collin Delia glove side.

Jake Oettinger stonewalled the IceHogs from there, finishing with 23 saves on 24 shots in net for Texas. The rookie netminder earned his second win in as many starts and has now combined to turn away 46 of 48 shots to begin his AHL career.

Peter Holland provided Rockford’s lone goal in the defeat when he redirected a shot from the point from Dylan Sikura 7:35 into the final stanza. Sikura extended his personal point streak to a team high-tying six straight games with his helper, while Matthew Highmore picked up his first point since returning from injury with the secondary assist on the play.

Delia stopped 26 of 28 pucks in the defeat. He currently leads all qualified goaltenders with a .924 save percentage on the season.

The IceHogs are now in seventh place with four games remaining in the regular season. They must finish no lower than fourth to qualify for a berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Next Home Game
The IceHogs host their regular season home finale Sunday, April 14, against the Milwaukee Admirals. The contest is fan appreciation night, and the first 2,500 fans receive a free team photo, courtesy of American Solutions for Business. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. R.