Rockford takes two wins over division rivals
Week 23 Recap:
The Rockford IceHogs probably wish they could play the Milwaukee Admirals all the time. Rockford swept their home-and-home series against the Ads in Week 23, picking up two wins and four points. On Saturday, Chris DiDomenico gave the Hogs a 1-0 lead in the first period in Milwaukee, then Brandon Svendsen, Philippe Paradis and Peter LeBlanc tallied in the third as Rockford earned a 4-1 victory. Less than 24 hours later, Ryan Stanton, Svendsen and Rob Flick led the IceHogs to a 3-2 win at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Rockford is now riding a season-high eight-game point streak (7-0-0-1) and have won four in a row. The Hogs travel west in Week 24, playing three road games against Oklahoma City, Houston and San Antonio.
Week 23 Results
Saturday, March 10: Rockford 4 at Milwaukee 1
Sunday, March 11: Milwaukee 2 vs. Rockford 3
Week 24 Schedule Tuesday, March 13 at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.
Friday, March 16 at Houston, 7:35 p.m.
Saturday, March 17 at San Antonio, 7 p.m.
Bacon Bits:
The IceHogs swept the weekend to extend their season-long point streak to eight straight games (7-0-0-1)
During the point streak, the IceHogs have knocked off Milwaukee in four of the eight games and held the Admirals to just one goal in five of their last six matchups
In nine games overall against Milwaukee, the IceHogs have gotten the best of their Midwest Division rivals, only losing once in regulation for a 7-1-0-1 record
Rockford has won their last four contests, tying a season-best stretch that last occurred from 1/16/12 to 1/22/12
Goaltender Carter Hutton has been in net for all eight games and hasn’t allowed more than two goals in a game ending in regulation
Hutton shows a 1.22 goals against average with a .957 save percentage to go along with a 7-0-1 record during the hot run
Rockford lit the lamp four times on Saturday night for the first time in 23 games dating back to a 6-5 overtime win at Texas on Jan. 8
The IceHogs swept the weekend while missing seven of their top 11 point producers or 47% of the team’s goals, with six not returning to the lineup for the rest of the season
Forward Brandon Svendsen almost doubled his season point output over the weekend, tallying two goals, including Saturday’s game-winner, and an assist in two games
Defenseman Ryan Stanton has notched four points (2g-2a) in four games after scoring nine points in his previous 57 contests
Defenseman Brian Fahey was on the ice for all of Rockford’s goals on Saturday and finished the weekend with a plus/minus rating of +6
The IceHogs raised $30,312 for charity in their 13th annual jersey auction game on Sunday
In all 13 jersey auctions, the IceHogs and their generous fans have raised $644,070 for local charities
Hot Hog: Week 23:
Brandon Svendsen, Winger
IceHogs winger Brandon Svendsen almost doubled his season point output during Week 23 with three points in two games. Coming into the week, Svendsen had registered five points (1g-4a) in 27 contests. The Maplewood, Minnesota native got off to a good start with his second multi-point night of the season in Rockford’s 4-1 win at Milwaukee on Saturday. Svendsen tallied the game-winning marker and added an assist in the win. The next night (Sunday) against the same opponent, Svendsen added his third goal of the season to help the IceHogs hold onto a 3-2 victory at the BMO Harris Bank Center.
Upcoming Games:
Tuesday, March 13 at Oklahoma City Barons. Rockford starts a three-game road trip Tuesday night in Oklahoma City against the Barons. The puck drops at 7 p.m. It’s the fourth and final meeting between the IceHogs and Barons in 2011-12, and the road team has taken all three victories thus far.
Friday, March 16 at Houston Aeros. The IceHogs and Aeros meet up for just the second time this season and for the final time in Houston. Game time is 7:35 p.m. Rockford came away with a 4-1 win in their first matchup at the Toyota Center on Jan. 6. Three of the IceHogs next five contests come against the Aeros, including back-to-back games in Rockford on March 23 and 24.
Saturday, March 17 at San Antonio Rampage. Saturday marks the end of Rockford’s three-game roap trip as the IceHogs take on San Antonio at 7 p.m. Rockford is 1-1-0-0 versus the Rampage thus far in 2011-12, and the home team has won each contest. The final matchup between the two teams will be on March 30 at the BMO Harris Bank Center.
No Bud Light Hog Talk This Week:
Bud Light Hog Talk is off this week as the team travels west for a three-game road trip, but will return to Granite City Food and Brewery next Monday, March 19. Mike Peck will host IceHogs assistant coach Ben Simon, 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.