PUCKS AND PAWS HIGHLIGHTS WEEKEND HOME STAND
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 vs. Iowa Wild
Time: 7 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. (Blue Flame Lounge at 5:15 p.m.)
Blues Flame Friday: Those 21-and-older can get their weekend started early at the BMO at the Blues Flame Lounge Pre-Game Party. Burn n’ Bush will be performing while guests enjoy free appetizers and drink specials. Fans with a game ticket must enter through the upper-concourse level entrance on Elm St. near the box office. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and only the first 150 will be permitted.
Fleece Blanket Giveaway: The first 2,500 fans to enter the BMO will receive an IceHogs fleece blanket courtesy of OSF.
Pucks and Paws: The IceHogs are hosting their third annual Pucks & Paws game. The first 1,500 fans will receive a free dog treat for their four-legged friends courtesy of Whimzees. Local shelters (Noah's Ark, Mending Hearts Rescue, Winnebago County Animal Services) will be set up throughout the arena to provide information about their organizations and showcase a few of their adoptable dogs. Winnebago County Animal Services will also be selling the 2016 Pawkey calendars which feature the IceHogs with some of their adoptable animals! There will also be a silent auction featuring pet items ranging from a one-month BarkBox subscription to a Gibi Pet Tracker ($100 value). Additionally, fans will have the opportunity to take home more goodies for their pets as “Doggie Bags” containing treats, toys, collars, and more, will be sold for $10. A special ticket offer for $15 upper bowl tickets is available for Pucks and Paws night, with $5 from each ticket going back to the shelters. To purchase, please call (815) 986-6465 and mention “Pucks and Paws.”
Ceremonial Puck Drop: Zica from Downtown Dogs Chicago will be dropping the puck to get the game started. This isn't Zica's first time dropping the puck at an IceHogs game as she appeared at last year's event. Zica is The 2014 French Ring I Grand Champion and The 2015 French Ring II Vice Champion.
Matchup: The IceHogs take on the Iowa Wild for the first game in a back-to-back home series against their Central Division rival. Rockford currently leads the 2015-16 series with a record of 7-1-0-0 over Iowa. The last time the two teams faced off was on Jan. 10 at Wells Fargo Arena, when the IceHogs defeated the Wild by a score of 3-1.
Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 vs. Iowa Wild
Time: 7 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Papa John’s Shootout: Fans have the opportunity to win a free pizza from Papa John’s! After the game, fans are invited to come down to center ice to take their chance at scoring a goal. Any fan that gets the puck in to the net from center ice will win a free pizza, while all participants will receive a prize compliments of Papa John’s. All participants must sign a waiver which can be found in the game program or retrieved from the fan zone and bring it with them to the bottom of the elevators by the VIP entrance after the game.
Matchup: Rockford faces Iowa for the second contest of a back-to-back set. The IceHogs hold a record of 4-5-2-0 in the second game of back-to-back matchups. In the past five years, Rockford has dominated Iowa, defeating them in 19 out of 26 meetings. Forward Mark McNeill and defenseman Ville Pokka lead the IceHogs in scoring against the Wild with six points apiece.
Tickets: Tickets for Friday and Saturday’s games can be purchased at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office or any Ticketmaster location, by phone (815 968-5222) or online at www.icehogs.com.
Broadcast Information: All games are broadcast locally live on WIFR’s Justice Network on 23.3, and online through AHLLive.com. To listen, tune in through WXRX.com on your computer or mobile device through the IceHogs app. Fans can also listen for free at WXRX.com. Follow along on Twitter (@goicehogs) for live updates throughout the game.