Rockford, IL- The Rockford IceHogs (9-10-2-1) welcome the Colorado Eagles (14-5-0-1) to the BMO Center for the first time since 2023. The Western Conference opponents split their first series of the season in Loveland, CO back in October. The IceHogs will have a new face this weekend with veteran NHL netminder Laurent Brossoit joining the IceHogs on a conditioning stint. 

The Matchup:

All-Time Series: 3-3-0-0

Season Series: 1-1-0-0

Tale of The Tape: The IceHogs welcome in the Pacific Division leading Colorado Eagles for a two game series beginning tonight at 7 p.m. The two teams met in late October in Loveland, CO with both teams securing a shutout victory. Drew Commesso made a season-high 38 saves in Rockford's 4-0 victory over the Eagles. Colorado enters the weekend series after picking up a split against the San Jose Barracuda last weekend in Colorado. T.J. Tynan leads the Eagles in scoring with 21 points (all assists) and enters tonight's game with a three-game point streak. Tristen Nielsen leads Colorado with ten goals through 18 games. Nick Lardis and Brett Seney lead the way for Rockford with 22 points, with Seney leading the IceHogs with 17 assists. Rockford will look to reverse their trend on home ice, having posted a 2-6-1-1 record at the BMO Center this season. This is just the seventh game between the IceHogs and Eagles as they previously met in the 2022-23 season. 

Three Things To Know:

Lardis Leads The Way: The IceHogs took three out of a possible four points over Milwaukee last weekend, picking up 3-2 win in Milwaukee Sunday evening. Nick Lardis factored in on all three IceHogs goals over the Admirals, netting two goals including the game winning goal. Lardis also collected the primary assist on Joey Anderson's goal that put Rockford on the board at the 16:03 mark of the second period. The Rockford rookie is now tied for the team lead with 22 points (11g, 11a) through 20 games this season. Lardis also leads all AHL rookies in total points and ranks second in goals. 

Brossoit Joins Rockford: Rockford's goalie room added some depth this week when the Chicago Blackhawks assigned Laurent Brossoit for a conditioning stint. The 12-year-pro signed with Chicago in the 2024 offseason but has yet to suit up for the Blackhawks after suffering a knee injury. Brossoit has played in 140 NHL games between Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Vegas. Brossoit started eight games in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Vegas Golden Knights, posting a 5-3 record and helping the Knights secure the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. The British Columbia native has also suited up for 167 AHL games, posting a 77-66-17-11 record. 

Colorado Connection: Rookie Aidan Thompson will take on his hometown team for the third time this season. The Fort Collins, CO native played his first pro games back in his home state in October, putting up two points in Rockford's 4-0 win over the Eagles on Oct. 25. The 2022 3rd round selection has compiled 11 points (5g, 6a) through 22 games including three multi-point games this season with the IceHogs. Thompson ranks 5th on the IceHogs' roster in scoring with his 11 points. Thompson played collegiate hockey at the University of Denver, winning the NCAA Championship in 2024. 

Heard It Here First:

Jared Nightingale on Brossoit joining the team:

He's been skating for about a month and the last couple of weeks full practices with the Hawks. Our job is to get him back into game rhythm, he'll get the back of the net this weekend, get a handful of games and then we will go from there. 

Andrew Perrott on facing Colorado:

It's nice to get that out of division opponent. Colorado is at the top of the West right now, they're not an easy opponent. We were happy with the results last time we were there but we want to take the full four points this weekend. 

2025-26 Matchups: 

The IceHogs are back at home on tonight hosting the Colorado Eagles at 7:00 p.m. Viper Style Sun Glasses will be give away to the first 2,500 fans inside the BMO Center. Tickets are available at icehogs.com.