After dropping the season opener last night, the Razorbacks came out of the locker room with a purpose tonight. After getting physically pushed around the night before by a rugged Metro State Roadrunner squad, the Hogs pushed back.
Travis Robbins opened the scoring with an assist from Michael Kress less than four minutes into the game. But, the Roadrunners struck back five minutes later on a goal by Mitch Winia and the score was knotted at 1-1. Marcel Toure gave the Hogs a 2-1 lead at the 7:27 mark of the period on a nice combination play with captain Forest Mudgett and newcomer Matt Robinson assisting. Play continued to be chippy with hard hits dealt out and scrums in front of the net minders. The period ended with the Hogs holding a 2-1 lead.
The Razorbacks came out for the second period and despite taking two minor penalties, seemed to enjoy some prosperity when freshman Landyn Howze scored an unassisted goal at the 11:15 mark of the period and the Hogs led 3-1. However, Metro State got some life when Shane Doerfler beat Kevin Scheer with one second left in the second period to close the gap to 3-2.
Play see-sawed back and forth in the 3rd period. Roadrunner goalie Evan Hyedman stoned Ryan Machos on a partial breakaway and then stopped the rebound. The Hogs received a too many men on the ice penalty, and Metro State capitalized and tied the score at 3-3 on a wicked rising shot from Travis Rattista that beat Kevin Scheer cleanly. Less than three minutes later Rattista scored again to make it 4-3 Roadrunners. But, the Ice Hogs would not fold. Razorback captain Forest Mudgett, Ryan Machos and Matt Robinson connected on a nice play to tie the score at 4-4 and the big crowd went wild!
Play continued and despite Metro State taking a couple of late penalties the Hogs could not break through in regulation. The game continued into a five minute overtime with both teams getting chances. However, play ended with the teams locked at 4-4.
A shootout would decide the game. The Hogs first shooter of the night was Michael Tallo and he beat the Roadrunner goalie and the Hogs had the lead. Kevin Scheer then blanked three successive Metro State shooters, and the Hogs held on for an exciting 5-4 victory.
