Rockford, Ill.-  The Texas Stars led by two after 40 minutes, but the Rockford IceHogs mounted a serious comeback campaign only to fall in overtime.  The IceHogs' Mark Cullen posted two of the team's three goals as Rockford lost 4-3 in overtime at the Rockford MetroCentre.

After tying a season low for fewest shots in a period with two in the first frame, the Hogs posted 39 shots in the next two stanzas.  Rockford has 87 shots on the weekend, picking up three points in the process.

“It’s a well-earned point, it would be nice to get out of here with two but we’ll work with that,” said defenseman Simon Danis-Pepin, who picked up his first professional goal. “It was good comeback in the third, but you have to give them credit.  They played well.”

After a scoreless first period, Sergei Korostin was credited with the game's first marker with helpers from Mathieu Beaudoin and Travis Morin at 1:48 in the second.  The tally ended a 118:48 minute scoreless stretch for Joe Fallon dating back to three minutes into the second period on Wednesday when the netminder gave up a goal to Texas' Luke Gazdic.

Then Andrew Hutchinson drove in his first goal of the season at 15:54 to double Texas' score with helpers from Scott McCulloch and Raymond Sawada.

In the third period, the Hogs got some hope from a blast by Danis-Pepin just 48 seconds into the frame.  Danny Bois and Mark Cullen are credited with the assists.

“It feels good to get my first goal and as a team I think we put out a solid effort,” Danis-Pepin said. “Unfortunately things didn’t go our way.”

Then Maxime Fortunus scored his second goal of the season to take the two-goal lead right back at 1:36 in the third.  Beaudoin and Korostin were credited with the helpers.

But the Hogs caught a break, finding themselves on a 5-on-3 power play for 1:57 in the middle of the period and Cullen took advantage from the deep slot at 6:04 to make the score 3-2.  Pete MacArthur and Jack Skille were credited with the assists.

Then Cullen found the back of the net again for his team-leading ninth goal of the season at 17:19 to tie the score at three.  Nathan Davis and Brian Connelly were credited with the helpers.

Raymond Sawada got a penalty shot at 2:10 in the overtime after Fallon threw his stick at the puck but couldn’t finish the free chance on the Rockford puckstopper.

But Fortunus potted his third of the season on a tip-in from a Francis Wathier shot at 3:52 in overtime for the win.  Aaron Gagnon also got a helper.

“Texas is a good team and they showed it tonight,” Danis-Pepin said.  “They don’t make many mistakes and it was good that we could get three on the board tonight.”

Fallon stopped 24 shots in the loss, while Krahn won his 10th game in a row on 41 saves.  Rockford’s power play was 1-for-6 while Texas was 0-for-3.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Nov. 25 vs. Manitoba Moose. The puck is set to drop at 7:05 p.m. It’s student rush night courtesy of WXRX, and high school and college students with a valid student ID can purchase the best available seat for just $10 after 6 p.m. It’s also a Golden Goal game, and one lucky fan will have the chance to win $10,000 if the IceHogs score a goal with 9:10 left on the clock in the third period. Plus, it’s a Guarantee Win Night! If the IceHogs lose, everyone in attendance receives a free ticket to the game on Wednesday, Dec. 2 vs. Chicago Wolves. 

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