Rockford earns five of six possible points
Week 18 Recap:
January was incredibly good to the IceHogs as they continued their success from Week 17 by earning five out of six possible points in Week 18 to close out the month. Peter LeBlanc led the charge against Charlotte, tallying four goals in two games to help Rockford garner three out of four points against the top team in the Midwest Division. Joe Lavin (1g-1a) and Brandon Pirri (2a) helped lift the IceHogs over Milwaukee, and goalie Carter Hutton continued his dominant play at home to end January with a win.
Week 18 Results
Thursday, Jan. 26: Rockford 3 at Charlotte 4 SO
Friday, Jan. 27: Rockford 3 at Charlotte 2
Saturday, Jan. 28: Milwaukee 1 vs. Rockford 3
Week 19 Schedule
Friday, Feb. 3 at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
Bacon Bits:
Rockford has picked up points in a season-high seven-straight games (6-0-0-1) dating back to Jan. 16
Rockford finished January 9-3-0-1 after entering the month with 11 wins
The nine wins ties an IceHogs AHL-record for most wins in a month, last accomplished in March 2011
Seven of the nine wins came in regulation with the other two coming in overtime
Eight of Rockford’s 13 games in January were one-goal games and four were two-goal contests
Rockford had eight different players record game-winning goals in January with Brandon Pirri being the only skater with two game winners
Carter Hutton and Alec Richards combined for a .927 save percentage and a 2.20 goals against average in January
Rockford is still last in the AHL with a 3.35 GAA
Hutton went 7-1-0-1 in January with a 1.86 GAA and a .934 SPCT
All-Star center Brandon Pirri is riding a team season-high seven-game point streak dating back to Jan 16, totaling 3g-5a-8pts
Winger Rostislav Olesz has points in six-straight games (3g-5a-8pts) and nine out of his last 11 contests (4g-9a-13pts)
dating back to Jan. 6
All-Star defenseman Brian Connelly was traded to Calgary on Friday and leaves as the organization’s all-time assists leader (105), fourth in games played (211) and fifth in points (126)
Connelly was scratched from Friday’s game in Charlotte, breaking a 125 consecutive game streak, with his last missed game coming on April 3, 2010
Rockford went 4-0-0-1 in January when trailing after the second period
Before January, the IceHogs were 0-16-1-0 when trailing after 40-minutes of hockey
Hot Hog: Week 18:
Peter LeBlanc, Center
Center Peter LeBlanc helped lead a pair of Rockford comebacks during Week 18 in Charlotte against the Midwest Division’s top team. On Thursday, with Rockford trailing 3-0 to the Checkers, LeBlanc scored a pair of goals to pull the IceHogs within one in a game that they would eventually pick up a point in with a 4-3 shootout loss. Then on Friday, with Rockford trailing 2-0 in Charlotte, LeBlanc bagged two more tallies to tie the game and help lead Rockford to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory. LeBlanc garnered first star honors on Friday.
Upcoming Games:
Friday, Feb. 3 at Chicago Wolves. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. Rockford comes back from the All-Star break hoping to continue their hot streak as they faceoff against the Wolves in an Illinois Lottery Cup showdown. It is the eighth of 12 meetings between the Midwest Division rivals this season. The IceHogs are 4-3-0-0 versus Chicago in 2011-12.
Bud Light Hog Talk Returns To Granite City on Mon., Feb. 6:
There will not be a Bud Light Hog Talk this week due to the AHL All-Star Break, but it will return to Granite City Food and Brewery next Monday, Feb. 6. Mike Peck will be joined by IceHogs Assistant Coach Ben Simon and forwards Chris DiDomenico and Brandon Svendsen. Granite City is located at 7140 Harrison Ave. next to CherryVale Mall. Fans can join Mike Peck or Stephen Nelson from 6-7 p.m. most Mondays as he chats with IceHogs skaters and coaches. Stop by to take advantage of food and Bud Light specials. If you can't make it to Granite City, tune into 100.5 NTA FM or 1330 AM WNTA.
The IceHogs Broadcasting Network:
Rockford IceHogs fans can catch all of the IceHogs regular and post-season games on the Hogs’ flagship radio station, Rockford’s Voice 100.5 NTA FM and 1330 AM WNTA, and 30 regular season games on ESPN Radio 1380 AM WTJK. Fans can also watch and listen to the Hogs on the World Wide Web with AHL Live! Visit the IceHogs website (icehogs.com) and click on the “click here to watch the AHL Live” icon, and for just $7 you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Comcast Cable television in Rockford can tune in to Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action at the BMO Harris Bank Center this season. All Saturday home games will also be televised on My Network TV digital subchannel 17.2 along with Comcast and Charter Cable channel 16. The broadcast begins with the U.S. Cellular Pregame Show 30 minutes before the puck drops. Make sure to give your opinion during the Comcast Post-Game Call-In Show following each game at (815) 874-8255.
Tickets Now On Sale!
IceHogs individual game tickets are now on sale! Call (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for any IceHogs regular season game during the 2011-12 season. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office in downtown Rockford or on the Web at www.theBMOHarrisBankCenter.com. Tickets start at just $7.