Week 16 Report: Hogs Take Two of Three on the Road

BACON BITS

THREE FOR ME
The IceHogs have only managed to score three goals in a game twice in the last 14 contests. The club holds a record of 16-1-0-1 record when scoring more than two goals this year and are 4-19-1-0 when tallying two or fewer goals. Dating to last season, the Hogs have won 46 of 52 games when scoring more than two goals (46-3-1-2).

HAGEL ON THE WAYGEL
Brandon Hagel was recalled by the Chicago Blackhawks after Monday's contest and will be the 120th Rockford IceHogs alum to reach/return to the National Hockey League after suiting up for the club's American Hockey League affiliate if he dresses during his recall. He's the 10th player this season to earn a promotion and will be the 89th to go between the IceHogs and Blackhawks if he sees NHL action. He led the IceHogs with 13 goals at the time of his recall.

GABE'S GOT GAME
Gabriel Gagne was signed to a PTO by Rockford on Saturday and tallied a goal and an assist and was named the game's second star in his IceHogs debut on Sunday in the team's victory over the Chicago Wolves. He became the 38th player with Rockford to have suited up for an AHL game this season, and that is tied for the fourth-most among teams in the AHL behind Belleville (41), Toronto (42) and Wilkes/Barre (39).

BROTHERS IN ARMS
Dylan and Tyler Sikura each found the scoresheet on Sunday with Dylan assisting on Gabriel Gagne's goal and Tyler netting the game-winning goal. The former possesses 17 points (9g, 8a) through 24 games while the latter holds 24 points (11g, 13a) through 41 appearances. In the entire 2019-20 season, when both have been in the IceHogs lineup, there have only been six occassions where one Sikura has recorded a point and the other has not. There have been 11 games this campaign in which both Sikuras have contributed points in the same game.

CALLING ON COLLIN
Collin Delia recorded the second shutout of his AHL career with a 34-save blanking of the Chicago Wolves on Sunday. His first shutout came on March 3, 2018, when he also made 34 saves against the Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins. Delia has now won each of his last two starts, stopping 63 of 64 shots during the run.

SIK 'EM
Tyler Sikura was a -1 in Monday's loss which is just the third time in his last 19 games that Sikura has failed to register an even-or-better plus/minus rating. His +7 rating on the season leads the IceHogs roster.

FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME
Chad Krys netted his first professional goal when he scored the game-tying goal late in the third period of Wednesday's shootout win against the Grand Rapids Griffins. With the marker, he is now the 11th skater this season to net his first AHL goal as a member of the Rockford IceHogs.

FINNISH FLAIR
Kevin Lankinen was named the winner of the Role Model of the Year Award at the annual Finnish Sports Gala (Urheilugaala) on Thursday afternoon at Hartwell Arena in Helsinki, Finland. Lankinen, who helped lead Finland to a Gold Medal at the 2019 IIHF World Championship this summer, was selected as a finalist for his efforts to promote youth literacy in Finland while raising money so that underprivileged children can learn to play sports.

UPCOMING GAMES

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Jan. 22 vs. Texas Stars | 1 p.m.
For just $2, fans can bring their dog to the BMO Harris Bank Center for Wednesday’s game against the Stars. Seating for fans with dogs is Sections 201-202. Proceeds from all dog tickets will be benefit local animal shelters.

Upcoming Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 25 vs. Milwaukee Admirals | 6 p.m.
The Rockford IceHogs celebrate their 11^th annual Autism Awareness Night presented by LawnCare by Walter on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 6:00 p.m. vs. Milwaukee at the BMO. The Hogs will be wearing exclusive LEGO/Autism Awareness Night jerseys and hosting an auction to benefit the Autism Program at Easterseals. The first 1,500 fans will receive a FREE collectible IceHogs block figure.