Hogs go 1-2-0-0 on three-game road trip
Week 24 Recap:
Looking to extend their season-high eight game point streak in Week 24, the Rockford IceHogs came up a bit short, losing to Oklahoma City and Houston before finding their winning touch again versus San Antonio on Saturday. On Tuesday, Peter LeBlanc and Rostislav Olesz gave the IceHogs life after going down 3-0 against OKC, but the Barons got two more for the eventual 5-2 win. Then on Friday in Houston, Rockford trailed the Aeros 4-1 late in the third period when Rob Flick tallied two goals less than 30 seconds apart, but Houston held on to win 4-3. The Hogs found their stride on Saturday against San Antonio as Carter Hutton stopped all 26 shots he faced to earn his third shutout of the season and lead the IceHogs to a 3-0 victory. Rockford plays four games in Week 25, including three straight contests at home before finishing the week in Milwaukee.
Week 24 Results
Tuesday, March 13: Rockford 2 at Oklahoma City 5
Friday, March 16: Rockford 3 at Houston 4
Saturday, March 17: Rockford 3 at San Antonio 0
Week 25 Schedule
Tuesday, March 20 vs. Hamilton, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, March 23 vs. Houston, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 24 vs. Houston, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 25 at Milwaukee, 3 p.m.
Bacon Bits:
Goaltender Alexander Salak faced his first penalty shot of the season and denied Carson McMillian in the second period on Friday in Houston
The Hogs have now faced three penalty shots on the season with Alec Richards turning away the other two on Oct. 14 and 16, both against Abbotsford
The IceHogs play their last four-game week of the season and their second to last weekend with three games in three nights
Winger Rob Flick became the 10th different IceHogs skater to record a two-goal game in 2011-12 with his first professional multi-goal game on Friday in Houston
Center Peter LeBlanc matched a season-best three-game goal scoring streak as he notched markers in all three of Rockford’s games in Week 24
The feat has been accomplished several times for the IceHogs in 2011-12. The last skater with three tallies in three games was Ben Smith from Jan. 8 to Jan. 14
Netminder Carter Hutton became the eighth player recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks after he was called up to backup Corey Crawford on Friday
After his brief stint with the Blackhawks, Hutton stopped all 26 shots he faced against San Antonio on Saturday to register his third shutout of the season
The shutout tied the IceHogs single season record set by Hannu Toivonen (10-11) and Corey Crawford (07-08)
Defenseman Brian Fahey recorded his 250th career point with an assist on Saturday
Fahey is a +8 over his last five games and shows a plus/minus rating of +11 over his last nine contests
Jeremy Morin tallied Rockford’s third short-handed goal of the season on Saturday
Defenseman Wade Brookbank chipped in his first multi-point game in an IceHogs sweater with two assists on Friday
Brookbank’s last multi-point night came on Dec. 26, 2009 when he dished out two assists in Wilkes-Barre’s 2-1 win
Hot Hog: Week 24:
Peter LeBlanc, Center
Center Peter LeBlanc tallied goals in all three of Rockford’s contests in Week 24 and finished the week with four points (3g-1a). The Hamilton, Ontario native got the week started with his ninth multi-point game of the season, notching a goal and an assist in the IceHogs 5-2 loss to the Western Conference’s top team, the Oklahoma City Barons. Then, on Friday night, with the IceHogs in an early 2-0 hole to Houston, LeBlanc put the IceHogs on the board with his 21st marker on the campaign. The next night in San Antonio, LeBlanc slapped in his 22nd goal to seal the game and give Rockford a 3-0 win against the Rampage.
Upcoming Games:
Tuesday, March 20 vs. Hamilton Bulldogs. Game time is 7:05 p.m. as the Bulldogs are in town for the second and final matchup against the IceHogs in 2011-12. Taco Bell Dollar Days continue Tuesday night with beers, hot dogs, soft drinks and companion tickets available for just one dollar a piece.
Friday, March 23 vs. Houston Aeros. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. for the first of back-to-back contests between Rockford and Houston at the BMO Harris Bank Center and the second of three meetings between the two teams in a nine-day span. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive an IceHogs water bottle sponsored by Rock Valley Culligan and 97ZOK.
Saturday, March 24 vs. Houston Aeros. Rockford and Houston finish up their season series at 7:05 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center in the second of back-to-back contests between the two clubs. Saturday is also Ben Smith bobblehead night. The first 2,500 fans through the doors will pick up the bobblehead courtesy of T6.
Sunday, March 25 at Milwaukee Admirals. Game time is 3 p.m. Sunday’s contest is the 10th of 12 matchups between Midwest Division rivals Rockford and Milwaukee in 2011-12. The IceHogs are 7-1-0-1 against the Admirals this season and have claimed wins in six straight games versus Milwaukee dating back to Jan. 22.
Bud Light Hog Talk Returns Tonight:
Bud Light Hog Talk is back at Granite City Food and Brewery tonight as Mike Peck hosts IceHogs developmental goaltending coach Andrew Allen, defenseman Ben Youds and forward Paul Zanette. Granite City is located at 7140 Harrison Ave. next to CherryVale Mall. Fans can join Mike Peck or Stephen Nelson from 6-7 p.m. most Mondays as they chat with IceHogs skaters and coaches. Stop by to take advantage of food and Bud Light specials. If you can't make it to Granite City, tune into 100.5 NTA FM or 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 100.5 NTA FM and 1330 AM WNTA, 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 website (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 BMO Harris Bank Center this season. All Saturday home games 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 2011-12 season. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office in downtown Rockford or on the Web at www.theBMOHarrisBankCenter.com. Tickets start at just $7.