Preview: IceHogs Conclude Two Game Set With Texas Tonight
7 hours ago
HOGS SEEK TO EXTEND POINT STREAK ON WEST-COAST SWING
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Rockford IceHogs seek to extend their point streak to four straight games as they continue their west-coast swing with a matchup against the San Jose Barracuda at the SAP Center Friday night.
Puck drop is 9 p.m. and fans can tune in to all the action on Cozi TV 23.3 or Dish Network Channel 252, beginning with IceHogs Warmup at 8:30 p.m. IceHogs fans can also listen to the game at sportsfanradio1330.com or watch live at AHLlive.com (subscription required).
Matchup: The IceHogs (20-15-1-2, T-3rd Central) have notched points in each of their last three games with wins over Cleveland and Ontario, and a shootout loss against Milwaukee. The IceHogs enter tonight’s contest with a record of 1-1-0-0 all-time against the Barracuda.
Forwards Matthew Highmore and Tyler Sikura share the AHL lead in goals over the last two weeks with six tallies in eight contests since Dec. 28. Highmore has netted a hat trick during that time frame and has goals in three of the last four games, while Sikura has notched a pair of three-game goal streaks to account for his six strikes.
In net, rookie goaltender Collin Delia has won each of this last two starts to improve to 3-4-0 in his first seven career AHL appearances. Delia recorded a season-high 33 saves in his most recent appearance to help lead the IceHogs to a road win at Ontario.
San Jose (16-14-0-2, 6th Pacific) won its most recent tilt against San Antonio for just its fifth victory in the last 10 contests. The Barracuda boast a pair of standout players in rookie winger Rudolfs Balcers and netminder Antoine Bibeau, with Balcers ranking 10th among AHL rookies with 24 points, and Bibeau ranking sixth among qualified goaltenders with a 2.28 GAA in 18 games. Bibeau has held opponents to three or fewer goals in all but one of his appearances in 2017-18.
Next Home Game: The IceHogs take on the Bakersfield Condors on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The contest marks another Fas Fuel Winning Weekday in 2017-18. If the Hogs win, tickets from Tuesday’s game can be redeemed for a ticket of equal or lesser value to the following Fas Fuel Winning Weekdays game on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Fans can also enjoy $2 tacos, select beer, and companion tickets as part of Taco Tuesday. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.
