WEEK 17 REPORT: ROCKFORD ROLLS INTO BREAK WITH WINS IN 2 OF 3
BACON BITS:
-The Rockford IceHogs won two of three games last week and hit the All-Star break with points in nine of the last 11 games since Jan. 6...The IceHogs are 6-2-1-2 over that span and have scored 3+ goals in nine of the 11 games (3.4 goals per game)...Rockford will now return from the All-Star break on Thursday with an overall record of 24-17-2-3 and ranked fourth in the Central Division.
-The IceHogs won each of their last two home games last week to extend their home point streak to four straight games (3-0-0-1)...The Hogs currently boast an overall home record of 15-8-1-1 to rank second in the AHL in home wins behind only Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (17 home wins)...Rockford, with victories over Bakersfield and Ontario last week, has notched points in 13 of the last 17 contests at the BMO since Nov. 18 (11-4-1-1 in that span).
-Rockford has been outscored in the first period 44-33 through 46 games thus far this season...Conversely, the Hogs have rallied to outscore opponents by a combined 103-90 over the second and third frames...That two-period total includes a 47-45 edge in the second period and 56-45 scoring edge in the third period.
-Defenseman Adam Clendening scored a goal against Bakersfield on Tuesday and collected a pair of assists against Ontario on Friday to cap his season-high four-game point streak with seven total points (1g, 5a)...Clendening has notched points in five of his first seven games since joining the Hogs and leads the team in scoring with eight total points (1g, 7a) in that span.
-Goaltender Collin Delia is unbeaten in each of his last six starts, going 5-0-1 with a combined 2.11 GAA and .928 save percentage since Jan. 6...Delia has allowed three or fewer goals in each of those six starts and ranks tied for the second in the league in wins during that span.
-Tanner Kero tallied points in nine of 13 games during the month of January...The forward led the team in points during the month, finishing the 13-game span with 11 points on five goals and six assists.
UPCOMING GAMES:
Friday, Feb. 2 | Manitoba vs. Rockford (7 p.m.) The IceHogs host the Moose for the teams' second meeting of the 2017-18 campaign. The contest includes a Blues Flame Friday Pregame Party, and a bobblehead giveaway of current MLB outfielder and Rockford native, Jake Smolinski (first 2,500 people).
Saturday, Feb. 3 | Rockford at Chicago (7 p.m.) Rockford travels to Chicago for an Illinois Lottery Cup matchup against the division-rival Wolves. Rockford currently trails by three points in the 2017-18 Illinois Lottery Cup series.
BUD LIGHT MONTHLY MONDAY HOG TALK AT VINTAGE 501
Bud Light Hog Talk returns to Vintage 501 Monday, Feb. 5 from 6-7 p.m. Vintage 501 is located in downtown Rockford at 501 E. State St. Fans can join broadcasters Joseph Zakrzewski and Brittany Toolis from 6-7 p.m. on the first Monday of every month throughout the season as the duo chats with IceHogs players, coaches and front office members. For those unable to attend the show in-person, Monday’s show will be streaming live on IceHogs.com. “Bud Light Hog Talk” will also be available on www.icehogs.com following the live show. Fans can access the podcast through the “Audio Highlights” link in the “Multimedia” menu.
ICEHOGS BROADCASTING NETWORK
Catch every IceHogs game, home and road, in 2017-18 on WIFR’s Cozi TV on 23.3. The games can also be viewed on Comcast Cable channel 434, Charter Cable channel 194, Dish Network channel 252 or Mediacom 102 in the Rockford market and online through AHLLive.com. Every TV broadcast will start with “IceHogs Warm Up” 30 minutes prior to puck drop. Fans can also listen to the action for free at sportsfanradio1330.com and IceHogs.com. For a complete listing of TV stations carrying IceHogs games, visit IceHogs.com, and for the complete schedule of radio broadcasts, visit sportsfanradio1330.com
TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2017-18!
IceHogs individual game tickets can be purchased by calling (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for any regular season home game during the 2017-18 season. Tickets can also be purchased online at IceHogs.com, in person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office in downtown Rockford or at any Ticketmaster outlet, including Walmart.