ROCKFORD SEEKS SEASON SWEEP OF REIGN
ROCKFORD, Ill. -- The Rockford IceHogs look to build on Tuesday’s win over Bakersfield as they welcome the Ontario Reign back to the BMO Harris Bank Center for Pink in the Rink on Friday night. The two teams faced off in Ontario on Jan. 10, with the IceHogs earning a 5-2 win behind William Pelletier’s first career AHL hat trick.
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 (23-16-2-3, 3rd Central) take on the Reign boasting points in eight of its last nine games.
Defenseman Adam Clendening has points in four of the six games he has played since his return to the IceHogs, potting a goal and five assists in that time. Forward Tanner Kero has also been one of the hotter Hogs of late, with a goal in each of his last two games and points in his last four. Netminder Collin Delia takes the ice tonight having won four of his last five starts, and has not suffered a regulation loss since Jan. 5 against Grand Rapids. That stretch includes backstopping the IceHogs to their victory in Ontario, when Delia stopped a career-high 33 pucks.
Ontario (21-16-1-1, 5th Pacific) has won four of its last six outings, including a sweep of the Stockton Heat last weekend.
Forward Mike Amadio leads Ontario with 11g-23a-34pts this season, and posted two assists against Rockford on Jan. 10. He is currently riding a 17-game point streak, with 9g-19a-28pts and 10 multi-point games across that stretch. Fellow forward Michael Mersch, a Park Ridge, IL native, scored for the Reign in their earlier meeting with the IceHogs, and has potted a team-high 14 goals this season. Goaltender Jack Campbell has won each of his last four starts, averaging a .917 save percentage across that span.
Next Home Game: Friday, Feb. 2 | Rockford vs Manitoba Moose (7 p.m.)
The IceHogs take on the Central Division-leading Manitoba Moose on Friday, Feb. 2 for Jake Smolinski bobblehead night. Puck drop is at 7 p.m., and the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a free bobblehead of Oakland Athletics outfielder and Rockford native, Jake Smolinski. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.