ROCKFORD ROLLS TO MANITOBA FOR POTENTIAL PLAYOFF PREVIEW

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- The Rockford IceHogs seek their first win over the Manitoba Moose this season as they face off at Bell MTS Place for the first of two meetings this week. With both teams sitting in fourth and first place in the Central Division, respectively, the contest could be a preview of a Calder Cup playoff matchup.

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. and fans can tune in to all the action on Cozi TV 23.3 or Dish Network Channel 252, beginning with IceHogs Warmup at 6:30 p.m. IceHogs fans can also listen to the game at sportsfanradio1330.com or watch live at AHLlive.com (subscription required).

Matchup: The IceHogs (34-25-4-4, 4th Central) take on the Moose with points in eight of their last nine outings, including a 5-3 win over the Chicago Wolves on Saturday night.

Forwards Chris DiDomenico and Lance Bouma have paced the Hogs scoring efforts lately, notching three goals apiece across their last three games. Fellow forward Anthony Louis nabbed an assist in Saturday’s win, stretching his team-high point total to 12g-26a-38pts, and has two tallies in as many games against Manitoba this year.

On the blue line, Cody Franson has starred for Rockford, posting three assists in three games last week and 3g-8a-11pts in his last 11 outings. In the crease, IceHogs netminders Jeff Glass and Collin Delia have shared success as a tandem, with Glass winning three of his last four starts and Delia posting a 6-0-2 record across his last eight.

Manitoba (39-20-4-4, 1st Central) enters tonight’s tilt still holding the top spot in the Central Division, but having won just once in its last four contests.

Rookie Forward Mason Appleton went pointless in Manitoba’s last contest, snapping a personal four-game point streak, but continues to pace the Moose’s attack with 19g-40a-59pts. He also boasts eight points in his last seven games with one goal and seven assists. Fellow forward Nic Petan follows with 15g-36a-51pts in just 49 games, including a pair of goals and one assist in two games against Rockford this season. Between the pipes, netminder Jamie Phillips has appeared in each of the last six games for the Moose, with wins in three of those.

Next Home Game: Saturday, March 31 vs. San Jose | 6 p.m.
The IceHogs host Hawaiian Night as they take on the San Jose Barracuda at 6 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The event will feature tropical-themed jerseys, live Hawaiian music, a luau with hula dancers, pig roast and orange hibiscus flowers imprinted on the ice. In addition, Hogs alumni Brian Bickell will be on-hand for the festivities. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.