ROCKFORD'S BACK IS AGAINST THE WALL AGAINST THE ADS

IceHogs drop first three games of the West Division Semifinals

Postseason Week 1 Recap
The first week of the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs didn’t exactly go as planned for the Rockford IceHogs. Rockford dropped all three games to the Milwaukee Admirals 3-1 in the West Division Semifinals and now need to reel off four straight wins against the West Division champs to advance to the next round.

Postseason Week 1 Schedule
Thursday, April 16: Rockford 1 at Milwaukee 3 (Game 1)
Saturday, April 18: Rockford 1 at Milwaukee 3 (Game 2)
Sunday, April 19: Milwaukee 3 vs. Rockford 1 (Game 3)

Postseason Week 2 Schedule
Tuesday, April 21 vs. Milwaukee, 7:05 p.m. (Game 4)
Friday, April 24 at Milwaukee, 7 p.m. (Game 5)*
Sunday, April 26 vs. Milwaukee, 5:05 p.m. (Game 6)*
*-If Necessary

Bacon Bits:

-Antti Niemi’s start on Sunday was his first AHL postseason appearance.

-The game was also the first Calder Cup postseason game (14 straight) not featuring Corey Crawford between the pipes for Rockford.

-The IceHogs are 1-5 all time in the postseason in elimination games and 0-2 all time when trying to prevent a sweep.

-The IceHogs have not led in the first three games of the series against Milwaukee.

-The Hogs have not won when trailing after two periods since March 30, 2008 against Iowa.

-Milwaukee’s goal in the first period on Sunday is the first power-play marker allowed by the IceHogs in the Calder Cup Division Semifinals (2-for-30) dating back to last season.

-Sunday’s 3-1 loss was the first time in IceHogs history that Rockford has fallen in three straight games by the same score.

-The lowest combined goals for in a single postseason in IceHogs postseason history is six in the 2003 Colonial Cup playoffs.

-Tim Brent and Pete MacArthur are each -7 in the first three games of the series.

-Rockford’s all-time record for lowest plus/minus in a single postseason is -4.

Upcoming Games:
Tuesday, April 21 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: Game Four West Division Semifinals. The Rockford IceHogs and Milwaukee Admirals return to the Rockford MetroCentre for Game 4 of the West Division Semifinals. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Register during the game for a chance to win airline vouchers to St. Petersburg, Fla. courtesy of Allegiant Air.

Friday, April 24 at Milwaukee Admirals. Game Five West Division Semifinals (if necessary). Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m. With a win in Game Four at the MetroCentre, Rockford would force a Game Five back in Milwaukee against the Admirals.

Sunday, April 26 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Game Six West Division Semifinals (if necessary). The game starts at 5:05 p.m. The IceHogs need wins in Games Four and Five to bring the series back to Rockford for Game Six on Sunday afternoon.

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.

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.

Playoff Tickets Now On Sale!
IceHogs individual game playoff tickets are now on sale! Call (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for any IceHogs postseason home game during the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs. 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.