San Diego, CA- The Rockford IceHogs (20-31-2-2) head to southern California for a two-game set against the San Diego Gulls (24-18-8-4) beginning tonight at 9 p.m. CT. Rockford split the first series with the Gulls in Rockford in late February. 

The Matchup:

All Time Series: 3-5-1-0

Season Series: 2-1-0-0

Last Time Out: The hometown Gulls opened the scoring first when Sasha Pastujov beat Olivier Rodrigue at 13:10 of the first period. Rockford was held off the board in the first frame but quickly struck for three goals in the middle period. Nick Lardis got the Hogs on the board just 1:42 into the period. Dominic Toninato would respond at 5:30 to give Rockford their first lead of the game. Moments later, Brett Seney would set up Gavin Hayes off of a turnover and Hayes would cash in with the short-handed goal to extend the Rockford lead. The IceHogs have tallied nine shorthanded goals this season. Rodrigue would be under siege for much of the final frame but would hold on for a 28-save performance and earn his first win as an IceHog. 

Team Leaders: 

San Diego:

 Points- Sasha Pastujov- 39 points 

 Goals- Justin Bailey- 18G 

 Assists- Matthew Phillips- 28A

Rockford:

 Points- Brett Seney- 41 points 

 Goals- Nick Lardis- 18G

 Assists- Brett Seney- 30A

Three Things to Know:

Out of Division: The IceHogs will play their final out of division game for the 2025-26 season this weekend in California. The Hogs are 2-8 against out of division opponents with games against the Colorado Eagles, Hershey Bears and San Diego Gulls. The first two games with Rockford and San Diego have been decided by a goal in 5-4 and 2-1 finals. Rockford last hit the California coast in late December 2023 with a split against San Diego. The Hogs fell 2-1 in the first contest before taking a 3-2 overtime victory to earn a split inside Pechenga Arena. 

Deadline Deals: The Chicago Blackhawks made a pair of deals during the NHL Trade Deadline yesterday afternoon. One of the deals included forward Aidan Thompson being dealt to the New York Rangers in exchange for  Derrick Pouliot. Pouliot, 32, has appeared in 52 games with the Hartford Wolfpack and picked up 28 points (2G, 26A). The veteran defenseman won the 2016 Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins and has played in 226 career NHL games. Pouliot has skated in 462 AHL games, collecting  294 points (54G, 240A). 

Welcome Back to the Lardy Party: Nick Lardis tallied the 18th goal of his rookie campaign last night against San Diego. The Rockford rookie has goals in back-to-back games and ranks eighth among rookie scorers in the American Hockey League this season. This marks the sixth time this season that Lardis has recorded goals in consecutive games for the IceHogs. The 2023 third round selection ranks fourth in IceHogs scoring with 32 points in 35 games (18G, 14A). 

2025-26 Matchups:

The IceHogs conclude up their weekend series with San Diego tonight at 8 p.m. The Hogs will return to the BMO Center Friday, March 13 against the Chicago Wolves for a $2 beer night presented by Bud Light. Tickets are available at  icehogs.com.