Preview: IceHogs Conclude Two Game Set With Texas Tonight
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ROCKFORD EARNS SPLIT IN WEEK 14
Week 14 Recap
The IceHogs rebounded after a disappointing 5-1 loss Friday night with a 6-0 shutout of the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday to split the weekend in Week 14. Week 15 features a three games slate, including two at the Rockford MetroCentre against the Houston Aeros on Wednesday and Texas Stars, Friday. The Hogs will also hit the road Saturday to take on the West Division rivals Chicago Wolves, at the All-State Arena.
Week 14 Results
Friday, Jan. 7: Toronto 5 vs. Rockford 1
Saturday, Jan. 8: Grand Rapids 0 vs. Rockford 6
Week 15 Schedule
Wednesday, Jan. 12, vs. Houston, at 6:35 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 14, vs. Texas, at 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 15, at Chicago, at 7:00 p.m.
Bacon Bits:
Rookie goalie Alec Richards earned his second career AHL shutout on Saturday night, making 22 saves in Rockford’s 6-0 win over Grand Rapids
The shutout marks the third of the season overall for Rockford
Rookie winger Ben Smith turned in his first career three-point game on Saturday, marking three assists against Grand Rapids
Rockford had a single-game season-high +25 plus/minus rating on Saturday
Since returning to the ice after Christmas break on Dec. 26, Rockford has improved their team plus/minus rating from -89 to -29, a +60 improvement in seven games
The IceHogs have played a league-low 36 games this season and have at least two-games at-hand on every team in the West Division
Rockford drew their fourth crowd of over 5,000 of the season on Saturday and the team’s attendance is up 16.4% compared to 2009-10
The IceHogs didn’t draw their first crowd of over 5,000 in 2009-10 until their 22nd home game
Winger Evan Brophey notched his 100th career point with Rockford on Saturday night when he chipped in two assists
Brophey becomes the third player in Rockford’s AHL era to hit the century mark in points, joining Jack Skille (128) and Petri Kontiola (121), and 13th player in franchise history to notch 100 career points
Rockford’s 6-0 win over Grand Rapids on Saturday moved their unbeaten streak to 11 straight against the Griffins (10-0-0-1)
The IceHogs have averaged 3.33 goals per contest over their past 15 games dating back to Dec. 1 and have a record of 8-4-1-2 (.633)
During that stretch, Rockford’s goals per game average has jumped from 2.29 (28th) to 2.72 (20th)
Hot Hog: Week 14
Alec Richards Goaltender
Rookie goaltender Alec Richards turned in his second shutout of the season during week 14 for the IceHogs and played solid in a relief stint on Friday. Richards made 22 saves on Saturday in leading Rockford to a 6-0 win over Grand Rapids. On Friday night, Richards entered the game in the first period and allowed two goals in 26 shots faced.
Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, Jan. 12 vs. Houston Aeros: Game time is 6:35 p.m. Wednesday is another Taco Bell Dollar Days as the IceHogs welcome the Aeros to the MetroCentre. Fans can enjoy dollar Bud Selects, Vienna Beef hotdogs, Pepsi Products and companion tickets. Houston makes their second of four trips to Rockford.
Friday, Jan. 14 vs. Texas Stars: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans through the doors will get an IceHogs water bottle thanks to Rock Valley Culligan and 97-ZOK. The Texas Stars return to the MetroCentre for the final time in 2010-11. The Hogs-Stars matchup is the third of six overall.
Saturday, Jan. 15 at Chicago Wolves: The game starts at 7:00 p.m. Rockford travels to the All-State Arena for the second time in 2010-11 to take on their West Division rivals. The game marks the fifth of 10 meetings between the two clubs on the campaign.
Bud Light Hog Talk Tonight At Swilligan’s Pub:
Bud Light Hog Talk returns to Swilligan’s Pub tonight. Swillgan’s Pub is located in downtown Rockford at 200 North Church St. Fans can join Mike Peck from 6-7 p.m. tonight as he chats with IceHogs players, coaches and front office members. This week’s guests include IceHogs forward Mathis Olimb and goaltender Hannu Toivonen along with General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard. Stop by and take advantage of some great food and Bud Light specials. If you can’t make it, tune into 1330 AM, WNTA.
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 AHL Live! Visit the IceHogs Web site (icehogs.com) and click on the “click here to watch the AHL Live” icon, and for just $7 you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Comcast Cable television in Rockford can tune in to Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action at the MetroCentre this season. All Saturday home game will also be televised on My Network TV digital subchannel 17.2 along with Comcast and Charter Cable channel 16. The broadcast begins with the U.S. Cellular Pregame Show 30 minutes before the puck drops. Make sure to give your opinion during the Comcast Post-Game Call-In Show following each game at (815) 874-8255.
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 2010-11 season. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office in downtown Rockford or on the Web at www.metrocentre.com. Tickets start at just $7.
The IceHogs rebounded after a disappointing 5-1 loss Friday night with a 6-0 shutout of the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday to split the weekend in Week 14. Week 15 features a three games slate, including two at the Rockford MetroCentre against the Houston Aeros on Wednesday and Texas Stars, Friday. The Hogs will also hit the road Saturday to take on the West Division rivals Chicago Wolves, at the All-State Arena.
Week 14 Results
Friday, Jan. 7: Toronto 5 vs. Rockford 1
Saturday, Jan. 8: Grand Rapids 0 vs. Rockford 6
Week 15 Schedule
Wednesday, Jan. 12, vs. Houston, at 6:35 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 14, vs. Texas, at 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 15, at Chicago, at 7:00 p.m.
Bacon Bits:
Rookie goalie Alec Richards earned his second career AHL shutout on Saturday night, making 22 saves in Rockford’s 6-0 win over Grand Rapids
The shutout marks the third of the season overall for Rockford
Rookie winger Ben Smith turned in his first career three-point game on Saturday, marking three assists against Grand Rapids
Rockford had a single-game season-high +25 plus/minus rating on Saturday
Since returning to the ice after Christmas break on Dec. 26, Rockford has improved their team plus/minus rating from -89 to -29, a +60 improvement in seven games
The IceHogs have played a league-low 36 games this season and have at least two-games at-hand on every team in the West Division
Rockford drew their fourth crowd of over 5,000 of the season on Saturday and the team’s attendance is up 16.4% compared to 2009-10
The IceHogs didn’t draw their first crowd of over 5,000 in 2009-10 until their 22nd home game
Winger Evan Brophey notched his 100th career point with Rockford on Saturday night when he chipped in two assists
Brophey becomes the third player in Rockford’s AHL era to hit the century mark in points, joining Jack Skille (128) and Petri Kontiola (121), and 13th player in franchise history to notch 100 career points
Rockford’s 6-0 win over Grand Rapids on Saturday moved their unbeaten streak to 11 straight against the Griffins (10-0-0-1)
The IceHogs have averaged 3.33 goals per contest over their past 15 games dating back to Dec. 1 and have a record of 8-4-1-2 (.633)
During that stretch, Rockford’s goals per game average has jumped from 2.29 (28th) to 2.72 (20th)
Hot Hog: Week 14
Alec Richards Goaltender
Rookie goaltender Alec Richards turned in his second shutout of the season during week 14 for the IceHogs and played solid in a relief stint on Friday. Richards made 22 saves on Saturday in leading Rockford to a 6-0 win over Grand Rapids. On Friday night, Richards entered the game in the first period and allowed two goals in 26 shots faced.
Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, Jan. 12 vs. Houston Aeros: Game time is 6:35 p.m. Wednesday is another Taco Bell Dollar Days as the IceHogs welcome the Aeros to the MetroCentre. Fans can enjoy dollar Bud Selects, Vienna Beef hotdogs, Pepsi Products and companion tickets. Houston makes their second of four trips to Rockford.
Friday, Jan. 14 vs. Texas Stars: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans through the doors will get an IceHogs water bottle thanks to Rock Valley Culligan and 97-ZOK. The Texas Stars return to the MetroCentre for the final time in 2010-11. The Hogs-Stars matchup is the third of six overall.
Saturday, Jan. 15 at Chicago Wolves: The game starts at 7:00 p.m. Rockford travels to the All-State Arena for the second time in 2010-11 to take on their West Division rivals. The game marks the fifth of 10 meetings between the two clubs on the campaign.
Bud Light Hog Talk Tonight At Swilligan’s Pub:
Bud Light Hog Talk returns to Swilligan’s Pub tonight. Swillgan’s Pub is located in downtown Rockford at 200 North Church St. Fans can join Mike Peck from 6-7 p.m. tonight as he chats with IceHogs players, coaches and front office members. This week’s guests include IceHogs forward Mathis Olimb and goaltender Hannu Toivonen along with General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard. Stop by and take advantage of some great food and Bud Light specials. If you can’t make it, tune into 1330 AM, WNTA.
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 AHL Live! Visit the IceHogs Web site (icehogs.com) and click on the “click here to watch the AHL Live” icon, and for just $7 you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Comcast Cable television in Rockford can tune in to Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action at the MetroCentre this season. All Saturday home game will also be televised on My Network TV digital subchannel 17.2 along with Comcast and Charter Cable channel 16. The broadcast begins with the U.S. Cellular Pregame Show 30 minutes before the puck drops. Make sure to give your opinion during the Comcast Post-Game Call-In Show following each game at (815) 874-8255.
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 2010-11 season. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office in downtown Rockford or on the Web at www.metrocentre.com. Tickets start at just $7.
