Rockford IceHogs eliminated in OT loss at Texas

Roope Hintz scored with 8.5 seconds left in overtime and the Texas Stars defeated Rockford 2-1 to eliminate the IceHogs from the AHL's Western Conference final.

Four of the six games in the series went to overtime.

"Disappointment obviously," Rockford coach Jeremy Colliton said of the mood in the postgame locker room. "We weren't ready to be done, and (I) really enjoyed being with this group. …

"Proud of how we worked. Sorry (and) sad that it's over."

Rockford fell behind midway through the second period but managed to extend the game when Chris DiDomenico took a pass from Adam Clendening and made it 1-1 with just 1:34 left in regulation. DiDomenico, acquired from Ottawa in mid-February for Ville Pokka, probably was the MVP for the IceHogs in the postseason, scoring 7 goals and dishing out 11 assists in 13 games.

Jeff Glass, inserted after Collin Delia lost Games 1-3, stopped 38 shots. He posted a .955 save percentage in his three starts.

The game-winner came after Texas' Colin Markison won a board battle behind the net with IceHogs defenseman Joni Tuulola. Markison managed to kick the puck to his skate and zipped a pass to Hintz in the slot. Hintz wasted no time and fired a shot that beat Glass to his blocker side.

Rockford, which took 35 shots in regulation to Texas' 29, was outshot 11-4 in OT.

Texas now advances to play Toronto in the Calder Cup Finals.