HOGS AND AEROS MOVE SERIES TO HOUSTON

IceHogs and Aeros go to Texas deadlocked in West Division Semifinals

Postseason Week 1 Recap
The Rockford IceHogs first ever Calder Cup playoff series got underway with two games at the Rockford MetroCentre. The Houston Aeros and IceHogs came to a 1-1 tie in the series and now head to Texas for three games in the Toyota Center.

Postseason Week 1 Results
Friday, April 18: Houston 1 vs. Rockford 3
Saturday, April 19: Houston 1 vs. Rockford 0 (2OT)

Postseason Week 2 Schedule
Tuesday, April 22 at Houston, 7:05 p.m. (Game Three)
Thursday, April 24 at Houston, 7:05 p.m. (Game Four)
Friday, April 25 at Houston, 7:35 p.m. (Game Five)
Sunday, April 27 vs. Houston, 4:05 p.m. (Game Six, if necessary)

Bacon Bits:
-The IceHogs and Aeros are both 0-for-8 on the power play in the first two games of the West Division Semifinals.

-The last time the IceHogs (tied for 10th in the AHL with Philadelphia in power play percentage in the regular season) went 0-for-8 in two games was March 24 against Milwaukee (0-for-4) and March 28 against Chicago (0-for-4).

-Ryan Jones’ game-winning goal on Saturday was his first professional marker. He has played in five games since joining the Houston Aeros when his four-year Miami (OH) University (NCAA) career ended in March.

-The IceHogs and Aeros set an AHL record Saturday for longest scoreless game in league history at 86:57.

-Only six other Calder Cup playoff games have ever gone into overtime scoreless. The last time it happened was April 27, 1997 in Springfield, Mass.

-Wingers Jack Skille and Kris Versteeg both recorded their first professional postseason points with assists in the second period on Friday.

-Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson appeared in his first postseason game on Friday after 122 professional contests.

-Blue-liner Justin Fletcher was the other IceHogs skater making his professional playoff debut this weekend.

Hot Hog Postseason Week 1:
Rockford goalie Corey Crawford finished the week with a 0.82 goals against average and 0.965 save percentage in two games against the Houston Aeros. Crawford missed his season best in consecutive scorelss minutes by 57 seconds. After letting in a goal at 8:56 in the second period of Friday’s game, the third-year netminder didn’t allow another one until 6:57 of the second overtime on Saturday. Crawford leads all goaltenders who made multiple appearances last week in both GAA and save percentage.

Upcoming Games:
Tuesday, April 22 at Houston Aeros. (Game Three) A crucial third game in the best-of-seven seires gets underway at 7:05 p.m. inside the Toyota Center. One team will take a 2-1 lead in the West Division Semifinals.

Thursday, April 24 at Houston Aeros. (Game Four) One team will be looking to even the series while the other will be fighting to take a 3-1 lead. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Friday, April 25 at Houston Aeros. (Game Five) The game starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Toyota Center as the Hogs and Aeros close out the Houston portion of the series.

Sunday, April 27 vs. Houston Aeros. (Game Six, if necessary) If neither team has swept the three games in Houston, the IceHogs and Aeros will take the action back to Rockford for Game Six. The potential contest begins at 4:05 p.m. at the Rockford MetroCentre.

The IceHogs Broadcasting Network:
Rockford IceHogs fans can catch all of the IceHogs postseason games on the Hogs flagship radio station Rockford’s Voice, WNTA-AM 1330 as well as all three games in Houston on ESPN Radio 1380-AM, WTJK. Watch and listen to the Hogs on the World Wide Web with the B2 Networks! Visit the IceHogs Web site (icehogs.com) and click on the “click here to watch the game live” icon, and for just $6, you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Comcast Cable television can tune into Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action at home this season. The broadcast begins with the Pregame Show 30 minutes before the puck drops. Make sure to give your opinion during the Post-Game Call-In Show following each home game at (815) 874-8255.

Where to Watch the IceHogs:
IceHogs fans can now catch every IceHogs regular season game live on TV! Every IceHogs home game during the 2007-08 season can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel-57. When the IceHogs are on the road fans can watch them live at Damon’s Grill in Rockford. Fans can take advantage of great Bud Light specials and food specials at Damon’s Grill.

Playoff Tickets Now On Sale!
Keep checking local media and icehogs.com for information about possible playoff tickets! Once home games are confirmed, call (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats at the Rockford MetroCentre. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office in downtown Rockford, at Hogs Headquarters in Cherryvale Mall, or on the Web at www.centreevents.com. Tickets start at just $10.