Week 19 Report: Hogs Continue Central Division Climb with Two Wins

BACON BITS

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The Rockford IceHogs head to Canada for a two-game mini-series against the Manitoba Moose this week in need of points to climb the Central Division standings. However, the last time the IceHogs defeated the Moose in back-to-back contests at Bell MTS Iceplex was from March 26-28 of 2018. Since that pair of wins, Rockford is 0-3-1-0 when visiting Manitoba.

THE RIGHT TRACK
Tuesday's defeat of the Texas Stars and Friday's victory against the San Antonio Rampage marked the first time the IceHogs had won back-to-back games since defeating the Laval Rocket on Dec. 17 and the Texas Stars on Dec. 20. The two straight February wins also note the first time Rockford has tallied at least three goals in back-to-back contests since Dec. 17 and Dec. 20. Additionally, after going 0-for-14 on the power play across five games from Jan. 15-22 and falling to 31st in the AHL in power play rankings, the IceHogs have now netted eight power-play goals across their last seven matchups, going 8-for-34 (23.5%) in that span and jumping to 29th in the league with a success rate of 12.4% on the season.

GOALS GALORE
After only scoring three goals in a game twice from Dec. 21-Jan. 22, the IceHogs have now notched more than two goals in a game four times in their last seven outings, including three goals in Friday's 3-2 overtime win versus the San Antonio Rampage. However, Rockford has surrendered at least three goals in five of their last seven and 14 of their last 22.

A TALE OF TWO SEASONS
From the IceHogs' season-opener on Oct. 4 through Dec. 20, the IceHogs held an overall record of 17-10-0-1 and reached as high as second place in the Central Division. However, since Dec. 21, Rockford has won just five matchups, going 5-15-1-1 in that span and falling to sixth place in the Central. The Hogs won a season-high four-straight games two times prior to Dec. 21, with the first reaching from Oct. 30-Nov. 6 and the second spanning from Nov. 29-Dec. 6. Alternatively, Rockford set a season-long six-game losing streak from Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 and endured a six-game winless streak from Jan. 20-Feb. 1.

BACK AT IT AGAIN
Entering this week's mini-series with the Moose, the IceHogs have 10 sets of back-to-back games in the final two and a half months of the season, including three instances in which the team plays three games in three days. So far in 2019-20, Rockford is 7-5-0-2 in the first half of back-to-backs and 6-7-1-0 in the back half of back-to-backs.

DYL PICKLE
Dylan Sikura dished an assist in Saturday's win over the San Antonio Rampage to increase his point streak to a career-high seven games in which he's deposited three goals and tossed seven assists. Not only is the streak the longest by any IceHog this season, but the stretch eclipses Sikura's previous career-high six-game point streak he set from Feb. 2-April 4 of 2019 in which he contributed seven points (3g, 4a). He kicked off the current stretch on Jan. 24 when he scored a goal and added two assists against the Milwaukee Admirals. The sophomore forward has buried multiple points in a game just three times in 2019-20 despite leading the roster in points per game this season (.84).

GAMES PLAYED GARRETT
Veteran forward Garrett Mitchell made his IceHogs debut Friday after signing a PTO with the club on Thursday. He immediately becomes the most experienced player on the roster and has 404 American Hockey League contests and 475 professional tilts under his belt. The next closest to him in that regard is Joseph Cramarossa, who has appeared in 329 AHL matchups and 391 professional games.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

Saturday, Feb. 15 vs. Cleveland Monsters | 6 p.m.
Saturday is Collin Delia Bobblehead Night at the BMO. As a part of the evening, Collin Delia bobbleheads will be given away to the first 2,500 fans in the arena, courtesy of Pepsi. Standard tickets can be purchased HERE while Hogs & Hops tickets, in which fans 21+ will receive two drink tickets and one upper endzone ticket for just $22, can be purchased HERE.

Tuesday, Feb. 18 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins | 7 p.m.
With the purchase of a Taco Tuesday ticket package, fans will receive an upper level ticket, one 12 oz. margarita and two tacos. The package can be purchased HERE for just $15. Additionally, fans attending the game on Tuesday can enjoy discounted tacos and craft beer, with tacos going for only $2 and select craft beer options available for just $5.

Friday, Feb. 21 vs. San Antonio Rampage | 7 p.m.
Kick off the weekend with $2 Bud Light beer during Friday's home game. Tickets can be purchased HERE and the $2 beers can be purchased at most concession stands on the concourse through the end of second intermission.