ROCKFORD GAINS MOMENTUM HEADING INTO FOUR-GAME WEEK

IceHogs knock off Admirals in a pair during Week 21

Week 21 Recap
Every team hits a rough stretch throughout the course of an 80-game schedule. The Rockford IceHogs are hoping their’s is behind them. The Hogs snapped out of a season worst eight-game winless streak on Friday night and closed Week 21 with a two-game winning streak. Rockford’s Week 22 features four games all at home as the AHL approaches the crucial playoff push.

Week 21 Results
Friday, Feb. 22: Rockford 3 at Milwaukee 2
Sunday, Feb. 24: Milwaukee 0 vs. Rockford 2

Week 22 Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 27 vs. Milwaukee, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 29 vs. Lake Erie, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 1 vs. Providence, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 2 vs. Peoria, 4:05 p.m.

Bacon Bits:
-Rockford broke out of an eight-game winless streak (0-6-1-1) on Friday and they have now won two in a row

-When scoring two goals this season, the IceHogs have a record of 5-2-1-2

-Wade Flaherty earned his 31st career professional shutout on Sunday making 17 saves in a 2-0 win over Milwaukee

-Flaherty has 20 career AHL shutouts ranking him 19th on the all-time AHL shutout list

-Flaherty posted back-to-back wins for the first time since Oct. 17 and 20

-The IceHogs are 22-0-1-2 when leading after the second period

-Center Kris Versteeg has 56 penalty minutes in his last three games and 67 PIMs over his past five contests

-Rockford is currently in a season long six game homestand

-Winger Troy Brouwer potted his league leading 17th power-play goal on Friday in Milwaukee

-Brouwer has accounted for nearly 27% of Rockford’s power-play tallies this season

-Despite leading the IceHogs with 26 goals, Brouwer’s game-winning marker on Friday in Milwaukee was just his second of the season and first since Oct. 20

-Center Martin St. Pierre accumulated his team-leading 15th multi-point game on Sunday in Rockford’s 2-0 win over Milwaukee

-St. Pierre’s assist on Friday in Milwaukee ended a personal three-game point drought, his longest pointless stretch in the AHL in nearly two years

-The IceHogs play its final two out-of-division opponents this season when Lake Erie (Friday) and Providence (Saturday) visit the MetroCentre this weekend

-Goalie Corey Crawford made his first NHL appearance of the season on Sunday for Chicago in Anaheim

Hot Hog Week 21:
The IceHogs desperately needed a win to shake out of a season-low eight game winless slump and goalie Wade Flaherty helped them do just that. Flaherty backstopped Rockford to a pair of wins during Week 21 over the Milwaukee Admirals. On Friday night, Flaherty turned away 20 Milwaukee shots in a Rockford 3-2 win before pitching a 17 save shutout on Sunday over the Admirals. The shutout was his first of the season and 31st of his career.

Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, Feb. 27 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. From the redundant department of redundancy, the IceHogs face off against the Admirals for a fourth straight time. The game on Wednesday is the fourth of five at the MetroCentre on the season between the clubs and seventh of 10 overall. The game is presented by Captain Morgan.

Friday, Feb. 29 vs. Lake Erie Monsters. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. Leap Day hockey for the IceHogs when the Monsters invade the big orange box. The game is the fourth and final on the 2007-08 slate between the Hogs and Monsters. The first 1,000 fans to the game will pick up an IceHogs cowbell courtey of Members Alliance Credit Union.

Saturday, March 1 vs. Providence Bruins. The clash begins at 7:05 p.m. Rockford’s final contest against an out-of-division foe and it’s a matchup with the AHL’s top club. The Hogs and Bruins square off for the second and final time this season. The first 1,000 fans to the game on Saturday will get a Hammer Hog Piggy Bank courtesy of OSF and BOB FM. Also on Saturday, Emily Osment from the hit Disney Show Hannah Montana will be on hand signing autographs and meeting IceHogs fans from 5:30-8 p.m.

Sunday, March 2 vs. Peoria Rivermen. Game time is 4:05 p.m. A busy week concludes for the IceHogs when the Rivermen return to the MetroCentre. The first 1,000 fans to the game will pick up IceHogs Poster #4 courtesy of Pepsi, MedicineMan and Johnson Press.

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.

Hog Talk Returns This Week At Cousin’s Bar and Grill:
Bud Light Hog Talk returns tonight at Cousin’s Bar and Grill! The show runs from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and is hosted by Jim Stone and Double T. Tonight’s show will feature IceHogs defenseman David Koci and forward Perti Kontiola. IceHogs Head Coach Mike Haviland will also be on hand. Come out to Cousin’s to enjoy some great food and Bud Light specials. If you can’t make it out to Cousin’s you can listen live on 1330AM WNTA.

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.