IceHogs Struggle to Contain Admirals in 4-1 Loss at Home
ROCKFORD, IL - Sunday afternoon at the BMO Center wasn’t kind to the Rockford IceHogs, who dropped a 4-1 decision to the Milwaukee Admirals in a game that got away early and never quite came back within reach.
Milwaukee wasted no time setting the tone, jumping on the board less than nine minutes into the first period. David Edstrom found space in the slot and let a wrist shot fly that snuck under the glove of Rockford netminder Drew Commesso. It was a sharp finish from the young forward and a sign of things to come for the visiting Admirals.
The second period opened with more trouble for Rockford. Just 39 seconds in, Milwaukee made it 2-0 on the power play.
Reid Schaefer, who had already made his presence felt earlier in the weekend, added his second goal of the series with a slick wraparound finish from the near post. His timing and positioning were spot-on - a textbook example of how to exploit space behind the net.
Things went from bad to worse minutes later when Zach L’Heureux extended the Admirals’ lead to 3-0. The goal stood despite Commesso’s mask coming off during the sequence - a controversial moment, but one that ultimately didn’t go Rockford’s way. L’Heureux’s goal underscored Milwaukee’s aggressive forecheck and ability to capitalize on chaotic moments in front of the net.
Before the second period was out, Admirals defenseman Jack Matier added to the damage. With just under two minutes left in the frame, Matier snapped home his first goal of the season, pushing the lead to 4-0. It was a tough blow for Rockford, who struggled to generate consistent zone time or quality looks through the first 40 minutes.
The IceHogs did manage to break through in the third period. Midway through the final frame, Jake Furlong tallied his first goal in an IceHogs sweater, giving the home crowd something to cheer about. It was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult afternoon, and a milestone moment for the young defenseman.
Still, the damage had already been done. Rockford couldn’t claw their way back, and the Admirals skated off with a convincing win - their structure, special teams, and opportunistic play proving too much for the IceHogs to overcome.
For Rockford, it’s a game that offers plenty to review. From early defensive lapses to missed chances on the man advantage, there’s no shortage of areas to tighten up. But with a long season ahead, the focus now shifts to regrouping and responding - something this group has shown it’s capable of.