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December 23
HAWKS RECALL NIEMI, ASSIGN SAWYER TO GWINNETT
Rockford, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced Thursday that goaltender Antti Niemi has been recalled from loan to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. Defenseman J.C. Sawyer was also assigned to the Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL) from Rockford.
Niemi returned to the IceHogs to play in Peoria on Wednesday for his first appearance since shutting out the Rivermen 1-0 at Carver Arena on Feb. 11. Against the same Peoria team on Wednesday, he carried a IceHogs AHL record long shutout streak (119:55 minutes) into the third period and held the Rivermen to just one goal on 23 shots. The IceHogs lost 2-1 in the shootout.
The Vantaa, Finland native has posted a 13-12-3 record in 30 games for the IceHogs in his first season in North America, along with a team-best 2.41 goals against average and .911 save percentage.
Sawyer has appeared in 19 games with the IceHogs this season, notching three goals and an assist. The rookie blueliner has been with the IceHogs since a Jan. 31 recall from Gwinnett, going without a point in four games.
Next Game: Friday, Feb. 27 vs. Houston Aeros. The IceHogs drop the puck with the Aeros at 7:35 p.m. for the first of three trips to Texas in 2008-09. It is the third of six meetings between Rockford and Houston on the season.
