Following the disposal of the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets) move on to a best-of-7 series against the Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Black Hawks) for the AHL’s Central Division bragging rights. The two teams split their season series so this promises to be a great matchup. The Moose are still without the services of AHL Rookie of the Year Mason Appleton, while the IceHogs boast a lineup with plenty of NHL experience (Cody Franson, Lance Bouma) which could tilt the table in 
Rockford’s favor over a long series.
The first period started with plenty of end-to-end action but through the first half of the period, there are no really big tests for starting goaltenders Eric Comrie (Moose) and Collin Delia (IceHogs). The teams seemed to be sparring a bit to get a feel for each other, neither side wanting to make that fatal first big mistake. The Moose took the lead on an alley-oop pass out of their zone which IceHogs defenseman Cody Franson couldn’t handle. Buddy Robinson pounced on the loose puck and deposited the puck past an outstretched Delia to make it 1-0. Assists went to Julian Melchiori amd Sami Niku at the 16:56 mark. Rockford outshot Manitoba 9-7 in the period.
An early 2nd period power play gave Rockford a couple of grade-A chances to equalize, but Eric Comrie would have none of that. Both goaltenders are now being tested and it while Comrie has had to make the tougher saves, both have settled in nicely. Rockford finally gets on the board with a nice rush by Victor Ejdell who faked Comrie glove side to deposit the equalizer to make it 1-1. Matthew Highmore and Carl Dahlstrom pick up the assists on Ejdell’s third of the playoffs. The period ends even up setting up a pivotal third period.
Rockford jumps on the Moose early with a pair of quick goals to make it 3-1. Tyler Sikura on the power play and John Hayden with a pair of well executed set ups put the IceHogs into the driver’s seat before the 5 minute mark of the period. The Moose pressed hard for their second tally, but an ill-timed late high sticking penalty to Mike Sgarbossa but the Moose in a difficult position for a comeback with just 4:06 left. An additional call on Cam Schilling just 20 seconds later put the IceHogs on a 5-on-3 power play as time dwindled for the home side. An empty net goal for Rockford’s Cody Franson capped the victory despite a late tally by Jan Kostalec. IceHogs take the opener 4-2 with these same teams back at it tomorrow at 4 pm in Game #2.
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