Deep Thoughts with Derek King – Postgame Quotes: 1/27/21 at Chicago

This season, after every Rockford IceHogs road game, Head Coach Derek King and broadcast Joseph Zakrzewski will break down the action and review the biggest headlines. Today, the IceHogs opened their 2020-21 season with preseason action against the Chicago Wolves, falling 6-1.

What were your overall impressions? Great start to the game with a Chad Krys power play to get the momentum rolling.

King: I thought we had a good first period, but then we looked tired, and then we stopped skating. Overall, it's good for the players to get a sniff of I thought we had a good first period, but then we looked tired, and then we stopped skating. Overall, it's good for the players to get AHL hockey.

Do you feel the tiredness is related to a short camp or was there something else?

King: I believe it’s from the availability of training and ice during the COVID-19 pandemic. For a lot of guys, this was their first game in eight months.

Who stood out to you? Felt like we were calling Evan Barrett, Chad Krys, Dylan McLaughlin, and others often.

King: Barrett looked comfortable. Michael Krutil is going to be a player. Krys and McLaughlin are fine and Andrei Alybarmakyan is fun to watch. D.J. Busdeker looked good too.

Speaking of Altybarmakyan, saw that he and Cam Morrison were a little banged up. Are they ok?

King: They are fine. Just nagging stuff and they don’t need to push themselves right now.

The Rockford IceHogs open their 22nd season of hockey in the Stateline, their 14th campaign in the American Hockey League and the 2020-21 season on Friday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. against the Cleveland Monsters at BMO Harris Bank Center! Fans can watch all of this season’s action LIVE on AHLTV and 23.2 Antenna TV WIFR (home games)! Tune in to every broadcast for free on SportsFanRadio 1330 AM, Sportsfanradio1330.com, IceHogs.com, and the IceHogs app!

Every active full IceHogs Season Ticket Holder and 20-Game holder who have paid for their tickets in full or who have a deposit down on their tickets for 2020-21 will receive FREE access to every IceHogs game through AHLTV on the IceHogs Broadcast Network presented by BMO Harris Bank!

Want to upgrade to a Full Season or 20-Game plan? Contact us at (815) 968-5222 or email us at ticketservices@icehogs.com!