ROCKFORD CLINCHES PLAYOFF BERTH IN WEEK 27

Week 27 Results:
Tuesday, April 5: Rockford 1 at Charlotte 2 (OT)
Wednesday, April 6: Rockford 2 at Charlotte 1
Saturday, April 9: Rockford 1 at Manitoba 5
Sunday, April 10: Rockford 4 at Manitoba 5

Week 28 Schedule:
Wednesday, April 13: Rockford at Iowa, 7 p.m.
Friday, April 15: Grand Rapids vs. Rockford, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 16: Milwaukee vs. Rockford, 7 p.m.

Week 27 Recap:
The Rockford IceHogs advanced to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second-straight year in the midst of a five-game road trip in Week 27. Rockford clinched its berth on Wednesday with a 2-1 win in Charlotte before dropping a pair of contests in Manitoba to the Moose. Vince Hinostroza upped his point streak to seven games (2g-6a) with a pair of goals and three assists over the course of four games to increase his team-leading point total to 46.


Bacon Bits:
-Rockford clinched its second consecutive postseason berth with a 2-1 win over the Charlotte Checkers on Wednesday
-Vince Hinostroza improved his point streak to seven games (2g-6a) with two goals and three assists in Week 27
-Hinostroza notched a team-high 11th multi-point game (2a) on Sunday and leads the IceHogs in points (46)
-Tyler Motte scored his first professional goal 25 seconds into Sunday’s game versus Manitoba
-Motte’s tally was the quickest goal to start a game for the Hogs this season
-32 different players have scored at least one goal for the team this season
-Rockford’s penalty killing unit has allowed a goal in four of the last six games (6-for-25)
-The Manitoba Moose were the only team to sweep the IceHogs this season
-Sunday marked the first time all season that the Hogs lost in regulation when leading after 40 minutes (27-1-2-1)
-Rockford scored four goals in a game on Sunday for the first time since Mar. 8, when they beat the Milwaukee Admirals 5-2
-The IceHogs held their first two-goal lead since Mar. 8 on Sunday
-With a power-play goal on Wednesday, Ville Pokka upped his team-leading power-play point total to 21
-Rockford has outscored their opponents 67-56 in the second period this season
-The IceHogs lead the Central Division in team penalty minutes (1230)
-The team dropped to 1-8-0-0 when allowing five goals with a pair of losses to the Moose
-The IceHogs have gone 3-10 in contests decided in overtime this season
-This season’s 10 overtime losses doubles up last season’s AHL record of five
-Rockford has lost eight-straight overtime games
-The IceHogs put up 43 shots on Manitoba on Sunday, which set a team single-game season-high
-With a two-shot third period on Wednesday, the Hogs tied their lowest output in a single frame this season
-The IceHogs also tied a season-low for shots in a game on Wednesday (19)
-By allowing four goals in the third period on Saturday, Rockford tied the season-high for goals allowed in a stanza
-Rockford has allowed four or more goals four times in their last six games
-The IceHogs have outscored their opponents 124 to 109 in five-on-five hockey this season
-With Sunday's loss to Manitoba, goaltender Drew MacIntyre is winless over his last five starts (0-3-2-0)
-Sunday’s defeat was just the second regulation loss for Rockford when scoring four or more goals

Hot Hog: Week 27
Vince Hinostroza (4GP, 2G, 3A +4)

Vince Hinostroza picked up where he left off in Week 27, notching two goals and three assists over the four games. He scored the opening tally on Wednesday against the Checkers to help the IceHogs advance to the playoffs and is riding a seven-game point streak (2g-6a). Hinostroza also recorded his team-leading 11th multi-point game (2a) on Sunday against Manitoba. He leads the team in points (46) and his 30 assists are second on the team to defenseman Ville Pokka by two.


Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, April 13 at Iowa Wild: Game starts at 7 p.m. Rockford caps their road schedule and a five-game road trip with a contest against the Iowa Wild. The IceHogs have gone 8-1-1-1 against their Central Division opponent this season.

Friday, April 6 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins: Contest begins at 7 p.m. The IceHogs return to the BMO Harris Bank Center for the season’s final regular season homestand.The first 1,000 fans will receive an IceHogs beach towel courtesy of Peak Fitness. It will also be a Blues Flame Friday, and fans 21-and-older can enjoy drink specials and appetizers starting at 5:15 p.m. in the Blue Flame Lounge.

Saturday, April 16 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: Game starts at 7 p.m. Rockford wraps up the regular season slate as they host the Milwaukee Admirals on Fan Appreciation Night. The first 2,500 fans will receive a team picture compliments of Proforma, and the IceHogs will give out prizes to fans throughout the evening.