IceHogs Fall to Moose; Head Home for Opening Weekend Festivities at BMO

While scoreless for nearly two full periods, the Rockford IceHogs (1-1-0-0) fell to the Manitoba Moose (1-0-1-0), 0-4, after a short-handed tally in the final two minutes of the second frame lit up a charged Manitoba offense in the final period on Sunday afternoon at the Canada Life Centre. Goaltender Arvid Soderblom made 27 saves in the setback.

The first stanza was home to back-and-forth action between the IceHogs and Moose. Both goalies, Soderblom and Manitoba netminder Oskari Salminen (W, 32 saves), were working their angles against the onslaught of chances from both teams. The IceHogs had 15 shots on goal compared to Manitoba's nine in the first period. Each club saw two power plays, and the IceHogs were 2-for-2 on the penalty kill after the initial 20 minutes of the game.

Unable to capitalize with 1:04 of power play left to start the second frame, the IceHogs couldn’t connect after chipping away with shots from forwards D.J. Busdeker and Evan Barratt. Similar to the first period, the up-and-down action continued on the ice for the majority of the stanza until Barratt and Manitoba’s defenseman Leon Gawanke dropped the gloves at 5:33. Barratt landed lefts and rights to Gawanke in the first scrap of the season for both players. Going on the fourth IceHogs power play after forward Brett Seney was popped in the face on a Moose high stick penalty, forward David Gust attempted a tricky between-the-legs shot before the Moose and forward Jansen Harkins struck the first tally of the game shorthanded on a turnover from forward Lukas Reichel at 1:27.

Unfortunately, the IceHogs couldn’t copy Saturday’s third-period comeback. While the IceHogs fell to 0-for-6 on the power play, the Moose controlled the frame with three more goals on the board. Forward Brad Lambert launched out of the penalty box to end the Hogs’ sixth power play and score at 10:57; forward Kevin Stenlund made a low shot just to the side of Soderblom’s stick at 12:47, and forward Evan Polei walked the puck into an empty IceHogs goal immediately after Soderblom reached the bench at 17:31 to give the Moose a 4-0 victory in the opening weekend rematch.

Join the IceHogs’ Opening Act with Hard Rock Casino-Rockford on Oct. 22!
The IceHogs celebrate Opening Night at the BMO on Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Chicago Wolves at 7 p.m. Start the celebration with the IceHogs and the Hard Rock Casino – Rockford for The IceHogs Opening Act with a block party from 4:30-6:30 p.m. outside the BMO featuring Rockford band, Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts.

Buy Opening Night & Opening Act Tickets Here!

The IceHogs and Hard Rock Casino – Rockford are also teaming up on an exclusive Hard Rock Hammy t-shirt giveaway. Fans attending the block party will have the first chance to get a shirt with the remaining shirts available to fans upon entry to the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Food trucks from Olivo Tacos, 15^th and Chris, TNT Funnel Cakes, Inzombia coffee and more will fuel fans for the Opening Act and fans can participate in exciting pregame events like axe throwing, street hockey provided by the Chicago Blackhawks, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, bags/cornhole and more! The block party will take place at the intersection of Elm and Main St., outside of the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.

Be Close to the FUN with an IceHogs Group Ticket Package!
Group ticket packages are on sale now! Experience the excitement of IceHogs hockey with a group of 10 or more family and friends! From skating on the ice before the game, watching pregame warmups from the bench, performing during the game or high-fiving the IceHogs as they take the ice, an IceHogs Group Ticket Package brings you closer to the FUN! Reserve your group experience all season at IceHogs.com!

Season Ticket Memberships for 2022-23 are on Sale Now!
Don’t miss a moment of the action next season! Reserve your seats for the IceHogs’ 16th season as the top AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. Celebrate Opening Night on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at BMO Harris Bank Center against the Chicago Wolves! Contact us at (815) 847-6399, at icehogs@blackhawks.com, or visit IceHogs.com to claim your seats for this upcoming season.