HOGS FACE GRAND RAPIDS ON COUNTRY NIGHT

Rockford, Ill. – The Rockford IceHogs conclude a home-and-home series with the Grand Rapids Griffins on Country Night tonight at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Puck drop is 7 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m. The first 1,500 fans to enter the arena will receive a cowboy boot mug courtesy of Pepsi and Dusty Boots, and the game will also include country music and country-themed contests throughout the evening.

The IceHogs are also hosting their fifth annual Rockford Sock Drive at the BMO tonight. Fans have been encouraged to bring new socks to any BMO Harris Bank location in Rockford from March 16-27 and can also at the BMO Harris Bank Center during tonight’s game. Fans who donate will receive one free upper endzone ticket to the IceHogs game on Wednesday, April 12 (vs. Milwaukee) and a coupon for a 25-percent discount at Oink Outfitters, the official team store of the Rockford IceHogs. The socks will be donated to Project Undershare.

Also, fans are invited to post a selfie while wearing their craziest socks with #BMOSockSelfie to be featured on the IceHogs video board during tonight’s game.

Tickets can be purchased at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office or any Ticketmaster location, by phone at (815) 968-5222 or online at www.icehogs.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

Fans are reminded that the BMO Harris Bank Center has a clear-bag policy that can be reviewed at icehogs.com/rmc/bag-policies.

Fans unable to make the game can tune in to all the action on The Justice Network 23.3, Dish Network channel 252, Comcast Cable channel 434 and Charter Cable channel 194, beginning with IceHogs Warmup at 6:30 p.m. IceHogs fans can also listen to the game at WXRX.com or sportsfanradio1330.com, or watch live at AHLlive.com.

Matchup: The IceHogs face the Griffins in the ninth season meeting between the two clubs. Grand Rapids holds a 6-2-0-0 series edge, including its 5-3 victory last night at the Van Andel Arena.

Last night, Rockford and the Griffins exchanged goals throughout the contest before Martin Frk potted the game-winner and an empty net goal to seal Grand Rapids’ win. Martin Lundberg, Brandon Mashinter and Tyler Motte each scored for the IceHogs, with Motte extending his point-streak to four games (2g-3a-5pts).

Rookie defenseman Luc Snuggerud notched his second career professional assist in the loss and has now recorded back-to-back point games after leading the University of Nebraska-Omaha in scoring.

With their win, the Griffins rank first in the Central Division and also boast the AHL’s top power play unit.The team is led on offense by Frk with 25 goals. He has posted 4g-4a-8pts in seven games against the IceHogs this season.

Next Home Game: Friday, March 31 vs. Texas Stars at 7 p.m. The first 1,500 fans to enter the BMO Harris Bank Center will receive an IceHogs beach towel courtesy of Peak Fitness. It's also a Blues Flame Friday pregame party presented by District Bar & Grill with doors to the Blue Flame Lounge on the main concourse opening at 5:15 p.m. for the pregame festivities. Fans 21-and-older are invited to enjoy live music from Recently Paroled, a happy hour special, and free appetizers at the Blue Flame Lounge.