Mayhew's Hat Trick Powers Hogs Past Wolves
Yesterday
ICEHOGS HOST PENGUINS FOR FIRST-EVER MEETING AT BMO
ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Rockford IceHogs look to rebound from a loss last night in Milwaukee and continue a push for playoffs as they host their first-ever home game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins tonight at the BMO Harris Bank Center.
Puck drop is at 6 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 5:30 p.m. IceHogs fans can also listen to the game at sportsfanradio1330.com or watch live at AHLlive.com (subscription required).
Matchup: The IceHogs (28-24-3-3, 5th Central) return to the BMO boasting the third-most points at home in the AHL this season. The Hogs have won each of their last two home games and have an overall home record of 18-11-2-1 this season.
Defenseman Cody Franson scored a goal for the second straight game in Friday’s loss at the Admirals. With the tally, Rockford defensemen have now scored each of the IceHogs’ last three goals and combined for six total points (3g, 3a) over the last three games.
Franson’s marker helped the Hogs continue their recent impressive stretch on the power-play, giving the team power-play goals in each of the last five contests. The IceHogs power-play unit has potted six total PP goals over the last five games and 10 total PP goals over the last 11 games since Feb. 3.
The Penguins (33-16-4-1, 2nd Atlantic) travel to Rockford riding a two-game win streak and at the mid-point of a three-games-in-three-days stretch. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defeated Grand Rapids 4-2 last night, squares off against Rockford tonight and caps its three-in-three stretch with a road game in Milwaukee tomorrow evening.
Rookie standout Daniel Sprong leads the Penguins in scoring with 44 points in 44 games this season. The forward ranks third among AHL rookies in points this season, and collected a goal and assist in the series opener with Rockford on Feb. 23.
In net, Anthony Peters and Etienne Marcoux round out the list of available goalies in place of the injured Michael Leighton. Peters stopped 17 of 19 shots in last night’s win, while Marcoux is awaiting his AHL debut after going 16-11-0-1 with a 3.07 GAA in 30 games with Rockford’s ECHL affiliate, the Indy Fuel.
Next Home Game: Tuesday, March 13 | Rockford vs. Iowa (7 p.m.)
The IceHogs host the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Fans who attended Rockford’s victory against the Texas Stars on Feb. 28 can redeem their ticket stub from that game for a free ticket of equal or lesser value to the game against the Wild on March 13. 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.
