ROCKFORD, Ill. - Rockford scored four times in the first period Saturday as the IceHogs went on to beat the Abbotsford Heat 6-3 in American Hockey League action.
Goals from Rockford's Brian Connelly, Danny Bois, Mark Cullen and Jack Skille chased Heat starter Leland Irving at 17:34 of the first period.
Mikael Backlund, David Van der Gulik and John Negrin scored for the Heat (9-7-3), who brought the score to 4-3 after two periods.
But Akim Aliu and Nathan Davis scored before the seven-minute mark of the third stretch Rockford's lead to 6-3.
David Shantz replaced Irving in goal for Abbotsford, making 12 saves.
Joe Fallon stopped 27 shots to pick up the win for the IceHogs (8-9-2).