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Rockford Overcoming Season Full of Injuries

By Angie Wiatrowski - @AngieWiatrowski, 12/15/14, 9:15PM CST

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With their leading scorer of the past two years out for the last two months, a starting goalie with a torn labrum and players with broken legs and broken feet, it's safe to say the Rockford Icemen have become a team riddled with injuries. Forward Anthony Heaslip is no stranger to injuries and has overcome these obstacles to be a standout for the skating wounded. 

"Anthony has had some tough times the last couple years with injuries and other issues, but he's really committed this year," said Icemen head coach Tim Mattila. "He's one of the hardest defensive players, he's just a leader on and off the ice. He's playing the game at 100 percent, he's not flying around thinking he's all that because he's now our leading scorer. He's playing two-way hockey."

For Heaslip, it all started at just three-years-old with a trip to see the Rockford IceHogs with his uncle. 

"I absolutely loved it, I just love the sport," he said. "I love the team aspect. The late night practices are just a bonding experience and it makes you a better person."

Heaslip has also grown into a much better player throughout the years. In a 6-2 win against Fenwick December 14 Heaslip scored a hat trick to add to his season totals of 14 goals and six assists in 14 games. 

"We're doing way better than what I thought," Heaslip said of his team so far. "We came a long way, everyone works hard and we all contribute." 

Mattila also believes the Icemen have come a long way, but he thinks the injuries that have plagued his team are masking what they could really be. 

"We don't really know what we have," he said. "We've overcome some adversity and for the most part everyone's packing their lunches and going to work. This is giving other kids opportunities that they maybe wouldn't have because now they're in the lineup on a regular basis." 

At the end of the day, consistency is what the Icemen need and there's still time to find it. 

"It's day by day," said Mattila. "Sometimes we are fun to watch and sometimes it's hard to watch but it is what it is, I don't really worry about it until February or March until we play everybody and roll the lines and hopefully get better by then."

Rockford's Anthony Heaslip on the Icemen's Performance

Rockford Head Coach Tim Mattila Looks For a Silver Lining