BEACH TOWELS & JERSEY AUCTION NIGHT HIGHLIGHT WEEKEND GAMES

The Rockford IceHogs host back-to-back home games this weekend against the Texas Stars (March 31) and the Grand Rapids Griffins (April 1). The games are highlighted by a beach towel giveaway (1,500) compliments of Peak Fitness on Friday night, and the 18th annual IceHogs Jersey Auction Night presented by Insurance King following Saturday’s contest.

Friday, March 31 vs. Texas Stars

Time: Puck drop is 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Beach Towel Giveaway: The first 1,500 fans to enter the BMO Harris Bank Center will receive an IceHogs beach towel courtesy of Peak Fitness.

Blues Flame Friday Pre-Game Party (presented by District Bar & Grill): Fans ages 21 and older can kick-off their weekend festivities with a Pre-Game Party featuring live music at the Blue Flame Lounge, located on the BMO Harris Bank Center concourse. Friday’s event begins with a performance from “Recently Paroled” at 5:15 p.m. and will also include free appetizers and happy-hour specials.

NOTE: Guests must have a ticket to Friday’s game to attend the Pre-Game Party. Those attending must enter the arena through the upper-concourse level entrance on Elm Street (near the Box Office).

Goodwill Clothing Drive: Fans are encouraged to donate new or gently-used clothing to the BMO Harris Bank Center during Friday’s game. Fans who donate will receive two free upper endzone tickets to any IceHogs home game in October next season. The clothes will be donated to Goodwill.

Saturday, April 1 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins

Time: Puck drop is 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Jersey Auction Night (sponsored by Insurance King): The IceHogs have partnered with Special Olympics, Illinois, for the team’s 18th Annual Jersey Auction game night compliments of Insurance King. The 2017 theme features Hammy in motley, a court-jester theme associated with the spirit of April Fools' Day. Rockford’s specialty jersey is checkered with the team’s colors of red and black, and has one red sleeve and one black sleeve.

Prior to the auction, comedian Marcos Lara will perform a set to warm up the crowd. Lara is a touring comic who has appeared multiple times on the "Mancow Show," as well as various clubs and colleges throughout the nation. His blue-collar, hard-work ethic and screwball comedic quirk are the results of being born and bred in the Screw City itself, Rockford, Ill.

Immediately following the game, the team will host a live auction on the ice surface of the BMO. Fans in attendance can bid on the specialty game-worn sweaters, with all proceeds from the auction benefiting the IceHogs Charitable Foundation. Following the auction, the IceHogs Charitable Foundation will donate a portion of the jersey proceeds to Special Olympics, Illinois, as well as other local charities.

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office or any Ticketmaster location, by phone (815 968-5222) or online at www.icehogs.com.

Broadcast: All games are broadcast locally live on The Justice Network 23.3, Dish Network channel 252, Comcast Cable channel 434 and Charter Cable channel 194 and online through AHLLive.com. To listen to a free audio broadcast, tune in to WXRX.com or sportsfanradio1330.com, or use the IceHogs app. Fans can also follow in-game updates via the IceHogs’ Twitter, @goicehogs.