ROCKFORD CLOSES IN ON CALDER CUP PLAYOFF BERTH

IceHogs take three of four during Week 26

Week 26 Recap
It was a crucial four-game week for the Rockford IceHogs and the club passed with flying colors. Rockford won three of four contests to reduce its magic number to clinch a Calder Cup Playoff birth to six points. Two weeks remain in the 2007-08 regular season and the IceHogs have two games slated for Week 27.

Week 26 Results
Monday, March 24: Rockford 4 at Milwaukee 1
Friday, March 28: Chicago 2 vs. Rockford 3 (SO)
Saturday, March 29: Rockford 3 at Iowa 4
Sunday, March 30: Iowa 2 vs. Rockford 3

Week 27 Schedule
Friday, April 4 at Quad City, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, April 5 vs. San Antonio, 7:05 p.m.

Bacon Bits:
-Winger Petri Kontiola has points in five straight games and 11 of his last 12 games

-During his streak, Kontiola has totaled 3g-13a-16pts

-Kontiola also leads the IceHogs with a plus/minus rating of +16

-Corey Crawford’s win on Sunday ended a personal seven game losing streak dating back to Feb. 2

-Rockford’s magic number to clinch a Calder Cup Playoff spot is six points

-The IceHogs eclipsed the 40 win mark on Sunday marking the seventh straight year that Head Coach Mike Haviland’s club have won at least 40 games

-A Haviland coached team has never won less than 41 games

-The 40 wins marks the fourth straight season in which the IceHogs have won 40 games

-After Friday’s game in Quad City against the Flames, the IceHogs will finish the 2007-08 regular season with four of its final five games at home

-Rockford’s come-from-behind third period win over Iowa on Sunday marked the sixth time this season in which Rockford won a game when trailing after two periods

-The six come-from-behind wins ties a franchise record set in 2000-01 and 2003-04

Hot Hog Week 26:
IceHogs center Petri Kontiola recorded points in all four games for Rockford during Week 26 and now has points in 11 of his past 12 contests. Kontiola’s week included three multi-point contests including a goal and an assist on Monday against Milwaukee and two helpers in both of Rockford’s games against Iowa.

Upcoming Games:
Friday, April 4 at Quad City Flames. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. Rockford hits the road for their second to final away game of the 2007-08 regular season. The IceHogs and Flames meet for the eighth and final time when the puck drops at the i-wireless Center in Moline.

Saturday, April 5 vs. San Antonio Rampage. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. A key West Division match-up at the MetroCentre as the IceHogs and Rampage meet for the final time in the regular season. The game is the IceHogs Charitable Foundation’s annual Jersey Auction as the IceHogs wear special jerseys that will be auctioned following the game. The first 1,000 fans to the game will pick up a jersey auction t-shirt courtesy of Saturn of Rockford, Dental Dimensions, Alpha Controls & Services, and 13 WREX.

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.

Tickets Now On Sale!
IceHogs individual game tickets are now on sale! Call (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for any IceHogs regular season game during the 2007-08 season. 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 $9.