BEER STEINS AND TEDDY BEAR TOSS HIGHLIGHT HOME WEEKEND

Friday, Dec. 11, 2015 vs. Iowa Wild

Time: 7 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. (Blue Flame Lounge at 5:15 p.m.)

Blue Flame Friday: Those 21-and-older can get their weekend started at the BMO at the Blues Flame Lounge Pre-Game Party. Macyn Taylor will be performing while guests enjoy free appetizers and drink specials. Fans with a game ticket must enter through the upper-concourse level entrance on Elm St. near the box office. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and only the first 150 will be permitted.

Beer Stein Giveaway: The first 1,000 fans 21-and-older will receive an IceHogs beer stein courtesy of Bud Light.

Pawkey Calendars: The Winnebago County Animal Shelter is selling Pawkey calendars featuring various IceHogs players with their four-legged friends, as well as dogs and cats from the shelter. Calendars are $10, some of which are signed by the featured IceHogs skaters while others have certificates for a post-game player meet-and-greet, an autographed stick, and IceHogs tickets. The calendars are available for purchase at the Winnebago County Animal Shelter table on the concourse.

Matchup: The Iowa Wild come to the BMO Harris Bank Center for the sixth meeting between the Central Division rivals this season. Rockford, who now leads the Central Division with a 16-5-1-2 record, is back at the BMO after going 4-1-0-0 since their last contest at home on Nov. 27, whereas Iowa (4-18-1-13) is currently 1-8-0-1 over their past ten games. The IceHogs are currently undefeated (5-0-0-0) against the Wild this season and have won their previous eight meetings with Iowa dating back to Jan. 16, 2015.

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins

Time: 7 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Teddy Bear Toss: It’s that time of year again! Time for the IceHogs Teddy Bear Toss! All fans in attendance are encouraged to bring a new or gently used stuffed animal to throw onto the ice after the IceHogs first goal of the game. It is advised that the animals are placed in a plastic bag before throwing them onto the ice. The bears are collected and donated to local hospitals and charities.

Toys for Tots: Leading up to the night’s matchup, Toys for Tots will be in the lower lobby of the BMO Harris Bank Center. Fans can donate toys for children in need this holiday season. Marines will be present to accept all toy and monetary donations on behalf of Toys for Tots. Fans who donate will receive a buy-one-get-one ticket voucher good for the Monday, Dec. 21 or Sunday, Jan. 3 contest.

Better Halves Mystery Pucks: Player’s wives and girlfriends, otherwise known as the “Better Halves”, have teamed up to help Healing Pathways – Cancer Resource Center. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase mystery pucks signed by various IceHogs players, along with Blackhawks skaters such as Marian Hossa, Brent Seabrook, Corey Crawford, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Toews. Pucks will be sold on the concourse for $15 each, or two for $25 with all proceeds going to Healing Pathways.

Photos with P.C. Labrie as Santa: After the game, fans are invited to come down to the ice to take a picture with P.C. Labrie dressed as Santa, and other IceHogs players who will be starring as elves, for individual Christmas photos. The cost is $5 and fans can enter at the bottom of the escalators following the game. There will not be a photographer provided, therefore fans must provide their own picture taking device. Proceeds of the photoshoot will go to the IceHogs Charitable Foundation to help fund future team community-based initiatives.

Matchup: For the first of four times this season, the Grand Rapid Griffins are coming to the BMO Harris Bank Center. The last time the IceHogs saw the Griffins, they fell 3-2 in regulation with goals from Jake Dowell and Bryan Bickell. Last season Rockford went 4-3-1-0 against the Detroit Red Wings affiliate during the regular season, however, they went down in five games (1-4) in the second round of the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs. Only a limited number of tickets remain for Saturday’s game.

Tickets: Tickets for Friday and Saturday’s games 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 Information: All games are broadcast locally live on WIFR’s Justice Network on 23.3, and online through AHLLive.com. To listen, tune in through WXRX.com on your computer or mobile device. Follow along on Twitter (@goicehogs) for live updates throughout the game.