ROCKFORD REMAINS IN TIGHT WEST PLAYOFF RACE

Three more games slated for the IceHogs in Week 23

Week 22 Recap
Despite picking up just one standing’s point in Week 22, the Rockford IceHogs hold onto the third spot in the AHL’s West Division, just one point behind the second place Houston Aeros. Rockford’s Week 23 slate features three more key West Division games including a showdown with the Aeros in Houston on Sunday.

Week 22 Results
Wednesday, March 4: Rockford 1 at Grand Rapids 3
Friday, March 6: Quad City 4 vs. Rockford 1
Saturday, March 7: Rockford 3 at Peoria 4 SO

Week 23 Schedule
Wednesday, March 11 vs. Milwaukee, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, March 13 at San Antonio, 7p.m.
Sunday, March 15 at Houston, 4:05 p.m.

Bacon Bits:
-Goalie Corey Crawford has started 11 of Rockford’s last 13 games (4-6-1) with Antti Niemi recalled to Chicago since Feb. 14

-On Saturday, defenseman Logan Stephenson scored his second goal of the season and first with the IceHogs in his second game since being traded

-Winger Bryan Bickell scored a goal in his return from a broken thumb on Saturday against Peoria

-Bickell had been out of commission since Dec. 31

-Rockford played without all three top scorers (Petri Kontiola, Pascal Pelletier and Tim Brent) on Wednesday

-Kontiola was traded earlier in the day, while Pelletier and Brent were both recalled to Chicago

-The trio has combined for 33 percent of Rockford’s goals scored and have 154 combined points in 2008-09

-Jack Skille, no. 4 on the point list, also missed Saturday’s game with an upper body injury

-The IceHogs picked up a single standings point in Week 22, their worst weekly record since going 0-3-0-0 in Week 5

-Rockford is 8-3-0-2 in their last 13 road games but 2-8-0-0 in the last 10 home games

-The power play is 1-for-28 in the last seven games

-After a home game against Division-leading Milwaukee, the IceHogs return to Texas for their second of three trips to the Lone Star State in the second half of 2008-09

Hot Hog Week 22:
In a week when all four of Rockford’s top scorers were out for at least one game, goalie Corey Crawford backstopped all three games with a cumulative .911 save percentage and 3.11 goals against average. With Antti Niemi recalled to Chicago (NHL), Crawford has started 11 of Rockford’s last 13 games.

Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, March 11 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. Rockford returns to the MetroCentre for their only home game during Week 23. To celebrate the team’s 10th Anniversary, the IceHogs are giving away 10,000 hot dogs! Also, all kids 14-and-under can get in for just $5 and WXRX presents another Student Rush Night as students with a valid ID can get the best available seat for just $10.

Friday, March 13 at San Antonio Rampage. The puck drops at 7 p.m. The IceHogs travel back down to Texas for a weekend set in the Lone Star State. Rockford opens the weekend in San Antonio at the AT&T Center against the Rampage. The game is the second of three on season in San Antonio.

Sunday, March 15 at Houston Aeros. Game time is slated for 4:05 p.m. Week 23 comes to a close for the IceHogs with a key West Division showdown in Houston with the Aeros at the Toyota Center. The game is a battle for second place in the division and second of three in Houston on the season.

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 $6, you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Comcast 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 Comcast Post-Game Call-In Show following each game at (815) 874-8255.

Hog Talk Returns Tonight At Cousin’s Bar and Grill:
Bud Light Hog Talk returns tonight at Cousin’s Bar and Grill. Join Jim Stone from 6-7 p.m. at Cousin’s as he chats IceHogs hockey with Hogs Head Coach Bill Peters. Tonight’s show will also feature forward Adam Hobson and broadcaster Mike Peck. Stop out to Cousin’s, located on the corner of East State St. and Perryville in Rockford, and take advantage of some great food and Bud Light specials. If you can’t make it out to Cousin’s, tune into 1330 AM, 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 2008-09 season can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel-57. When the IceHogs are on the road log onto the IceHogs official team Web site, www.icehogs.com, and watch the IceHogs through AHL Live for just $6. Fans can also stop out to the Sports Page, located on Broadway near Alpine Road in Rockford, and watch the IceHogs when the team is on the road.

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 2008-09 season. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office in downtown Rockford, at Hogs Headquarters inside CherryVale Mall or on the Web at www.metrocentre.com. Tickets start at just $10.