A three-goal third period sent the Rockford IceHogs to a 4-2 win over Manitoba in the opener of the Central Division Finals in Winnipeg on Friday night.
The IceHogs take their 1-0 series lead into Game 2 on Saturday evening (5 p.m. ET).
With the game tied at 1-1 entering the final frame, Tyler Sikura and John Hayden scored 45 seconds apart early in the third and Cody Franson added an empty-net goal as Rockford improved to 4-0 on the postseason and 18-5-1-1 in its last 25 games overall.
Tyler Sikura’s go-ahead goal sparked a @goicehogs Game 1 win #MBvsRFD pic.twitter.com/cqd4WNkoC9
— AHL (@TheAHL) May 5, 2018
Victor Ejdsell also scored for the IceHogs, his third goal in the last two games, and Collin Delia (4-0) made 24 saves.
Buddy Robinson and Jan Kostalek scored for the Moose, who have lost six of their last seven home games against Rockford.
Central Division Finals – Series “K” (best-of-7)
C3-Manitoba Moose vs. C4-Rockford IceHogs
Game 1 – Fri., May 4 – Rockford 4, MANITOBA 2
Game 2 – Sat., May 5 – Rockford at Manitoba, 5:00
Game 3 – Wed., May 9 – Manitoba at Rockford, 8:00
Game 4 – Fri., May 11 – Manitoba at Rockford, 8:00
*Game 5 – Sat., May 12 – Manitoba at Rockford, 7:00
*Game 6 – Tue., May 15 – Rockford at Manitoba, 8:00
*Game 7 – Wed., May 16 – Rockford at Manitoba, 8:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
