ICEHOGS LOCK UP PLAYOFF SPOT, NOW FIGHT FOR POSITION

Regular season wraps up with four games in final week

Week 27 Recap
Despite securing a spot in the upcoming Calder Cup postseason, the Rockford IceHogs are still stuck in a playoff race. After two wins in Week 27 vaulted them into the playoffs, Rockford has four games during Week 28 that will determine the club’s playoff positioning. Rockford currently sits in second place in the West Division.

Week 27 Results
Friday, April 4: Rockford 3 at Quad City 0
Saturday, April 5: San Antonio 1 vs. Rockford 7

Week 28 Schedule
Wednesday, April 9 vs. Peoria, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, April 11 vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 at Chicago, 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 vs. Iowa, 4:05 p.m.

Bacon Bits:

-Rockford clinched its first ever Calder Cup Playoff spot on Saturday

-Forwards Bryan Bickell and Kris Versteeg turned in an IceHogs season-high plus/minus rating of +5 on Saturday

-Rockford’s team plus/minus on Saturday was a season single-game best +30 overall

-Winger Petri Kontiola has four straight multi-point games and a seven-game point streak

-Kontiola is tied with Martin St. Pierre with 20 multi-point games this season

-Rockford set a franchise record raising $73,195 with its Ninth Annual Jersey Auction on Saturday

-The IceHogs and their generous fans have now raised $509,383 in nine auctions

-Rockford has 21 road wins this season, one shy of the franchise record of 22 set during the 2006-07 season

-The IceHogs have not allowed more than one power-play goal in 13 straight games dating back to 3/2/08 against Peoria

-Rockford has won six of its last seven games

-The IceHogs have won seven of its last nine contests at the Rockford MetroCentre

-Center Martin St. Pierre played in his 300th career professional game on Saturday

-Winger Adam Berti became the 19th different IceHogs player to get recalled to the Blackhawks this season

Hot Hog Week 27:
Rockford goalie Corey Crawford helped backstop the IceHogs to a pair of wins during Week 27 and a Calder Cup Playoff berth. Crawford earned his third shutout of the season on Friday night making 29 saves in Rockford’s 3-0 over the Quad City Flames. The Montreal native then turned away 28 of 29 shots in Rockford’s 7-1 thumping of San Antonio on Saturday.

Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, April 9 vs. Peoria Rivermen. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. The final week of the 2007-08 AHL regular season begins for the IceHogs when Peoria makes their final visit to the MetroCentre. Wednesday’s game is presented by Crown Royal.

Friday, April 11 vs. Chicago Wolves. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. The beginning of a home-and-home series with the Wolves. The first 2,500 kids 12-and-under to the game will pick up an IceHogs lunchbox courtesy of McDonald’s. The game is the final home game against Chicago during the regular season.

Saturday, April 12 at Chicago Wolves. The puck drops at 7 p.m. The final regular season game between the IceHogs and Wolves commences at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. The game is the tenth and final in the season series between the West Division rivals and the road game is Rockford’s last of the regular season.

Sunday, April 13 vs. Iowa Stars. The final regular season game starts at 4:05 p.m. The IceHogs wrap up its first season in the AHL when Iowa comes to town. The first 2,000 fans to the game will pick up an IceHogs team photo courtesy of Johnson Press. Also, the first 1,000 adults 21-and-older to the game will pick up an IceHogs Pint Glass courtesy of Bud Light.

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, WNTA-AM 1330 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 the B2 Networks! Visit the IceHogs Web site (icehogs.com) and click on the “click here to watch the game live” icon, and for just $6, you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Insight Cable television can tune in to Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action this season. The broadcast begins with the Pregame Show 30 minutes before the puck drops. Make sure to give your opinion during the Post-Game Call-In Show following each home game at (815) 874-8255.

Where to Watch the IceHogs:
IceHogs fans can now catch every IceHogs regular season game live on TV! Every IceHogs home game during the 2007-08 season can be viewed on Insight Cable Channel-57. When the IceHogs are on the road fans can watch them live at Damon’s Grill in Rockford. Fans can take advantage of great Bud Light specials and food specials at Damon’s Grill.

Playoff Tickets Now On Sale!
IceHogs playoff game tickets are now on sale! Call (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for the first two upcoming Calder Cup Playoff games at the Rockford MetroCentre. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office in downtown Rockford or on the web at www.centreevents.com. Tickets start at just $10.