The Monsters came out firing in a hurry, as defenseman Ray Macias lit the lamp 2:35 into the game. Macias’ second goal of the season was assisted by David Jones and Cody McLeod.

Less than a minute later, Eric Healey notched his own tally to put the Monsters ahead by a pair at the 3:19 mark. Healey was assisted by new Monster Wyatt Smith, who joined the team yesterday from the Colorado Avalanche.

Lake Erie entered the second period with a 2-0 lead that Rockford was itching to reduce.

The IceHogs answered the Monsters fury as the team leader in points, Martin St. Pierre, scored. His 10th goal of the season came at the 11:03 mark of the second.

St. Pierre’s marker was added to by IceHogs right wing Troy Brouwer on the power play at the 17:17 mark. Brouwer was assisted by St. Pierre and Kris Versteeg.

To give the Monsters a 3-2 lead in the middle of the third period, Chris Stewart tallied his seventh goal of the season on a pass from Brent Kelly on the power play. Veteran center Kelly has posted five points (2g, 3a) in his last five contests.

“I’m just working hard and keeping things simple. You can’t really score the puck unless you shoot it, so I have just been trying to do that and they are going in for me now,” said Kelly.

To turn the barn upside down and send the game into overtime, St. Pierre notched his second of the game and his 11th of the season at the 18:19 mark.

The overtime period came and went as the two teams appeared to be looking forward to the shootout session.

In the shootout, the Monsters posted two markers to the IceHogs three, as none other than St. Pierre scored the winning tally in the final set.

“Overall, I was pleased with the team’s effort. Everybody worked hard and it was a much better performance than we have had the last couple games,” said Monsters head coach Joe Sacco.

Monsters goaltender Jason Bacashihua stopped 34 of the 37 shots he faced in regulation. His counterpart Corey Crawford turned away 35 of 38 shots.

The Monsters return to the ice at The Q tomorrow night against these same Rockford IceHogs. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

Sights and Sounds
View photos	Watch Sacco Interview	Watch Kelly Interview
Three Stars
M. St. Pierre (RFD)	Ray Macias (LEM)	Chris Stewart (LEM)
Quote, Unquote
“We need all 19 skaters to show up and compete. We have a couple guys that are hurt so we aren’t quite as good as we can be. It’s a team effort and that is what has made us successful in our last half dozen games.” - Monsters head coach Joe Sacco | More game quotes