WEEK 17 REPORT: HOGS ROLL TO ALL-STAR BREAK WITH BACK-TO-BACK WINS

BACON BITS:

The Rockford IceHogs won each of their two games last week (against Manitoba and Iowa) for their first set of back-to-back wins since Dec. 19-21. With the victories, Rockford entered the All-Star break with a record of 19-19-3-5, tied for sixth in the Central Division and just five points in back of a potential playoff spot.

The Hogs scored 3+ goals in each of the two contests last week and have now potted 3+ tallies in three of the last four games since Jan. 19. Rockford is averaging 2.75 goals/game over those last four contests.

The IceHogs have scored power-play goals in back-to-back games after snapping a six-game power-play drought during Friday’s tilt with the Wild. The Hogs broke an 0-for-12 skid on the PP to go 2-for-5 with the man-advantage over the last two games.

Roscoe, Illinois native, Josh McArdle, made his first career AHL start on Friday at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The defenseman also tallied his first AHL point that night with an assist, and enters the week with points in back-to-back contests (2a).

Terry Broadhurst has logged points in three straight games since snapping his season-high 17-game scoreless skid. Broadhurst has two goals and an assist during his streak, and the three-gamer is just one shy of his season-high four-game point streak from Oct. 14-24.

Dylan Sikura extended his own point streak to three games with two points (1g, 1a) Friday and an assist Saturday. He has notched points in 19 of his 35 games in 2018-19 and leads all Hogs skaters with seven multi-point efforts.

Rockford is just two games away from concluding a stretch of 40 consecutive contests against opponents from the Central Division. The Hogs have gone 15-16-2-5 against the Central during the current 40-game stretch. The last time the Hogs faced an opponent outside of their own division was a home game against Cleveland on Oct. 27, and their next non-divisional game is set for Feb. 6 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

UPCOMING GAMES:

Friday, Feb. 1 | Rockford vs Chicago (7 p.m.) The IceHogs host the Chicago Wolves for Rocky Wirtz Signing/Fireworks Night. Chicago Blackhawks chairman, Rocky Wirtz, and Hall of Fame goaltender, Tony Esposito, will be in attendance for a book signing of Wirtz’s new release, “The Breakaway.” Fans are also invited to stick around postgame for a fireworks show (presented by LawnCare by Walter) inside the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Saturday, Feb. 2 | Rockford at Milwaukee (7 p.m.) Rockford hits the road for a one-night stop in Milwaukee against the Admirals. The IceHogs are 3-2-0-1 against Milwaukee, including picking up two of their three wins on the road at UW-Panther Arena.

BUD LIGHT MONTHLY MONDAY HOG TALK AT VINTAGE 501: