WEEK 21 REPORT: HIGHMORE SETS ROOKIE SCORING RECORD

BACON BITS:
-The Rockford IceHogs split a two-game road trip last week with a 6-3 loss at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday and 4-3 win in overtime at Hershey on Saturday...Rockford has won two of the last three games, but is just 3-7-1-0 over the last 11 contests dating to Jan. 27.

-The Hogs have scored 3+ goals in each of their last three games against San Antonio, WBS and Hershey...Rockford has combined for 11 goals in that span (3.7 goals/game) and is tied for seventh in the AHL with 173 total goals scored this season.

-Rockford has allowed at least one power-play goal in nine of the last 11 games, including four contests with multiple power-play goals...Opponents have combined to score 14 power-play goals in the last 11 games and are 14-for-36 (38.9%) on the man-advantage against the Hogs in that span.

-Matthew Highmore scored his 21st goal of the season during the IceHogs game at the Bears on Saturday...With his tally, Highmore set the IceHogs’ AHL franchise record for rookie goals in a single season...Highmore surpassed Tanner Kero’s previous record of 20 goals from the 2015-16 season, and is Rockford’s first skater to score more than 20 goals in his rookie season during the team’s AHL affiliation (since 2007-08).

-Adam Clendening notched an assist on Saturday at Hershey to tie the franchise’s all-time records for both points and assists for an IceHogs defenseman...Clendening has totaled 134 points and 110 assists in 203 games with Rockford to match the previous all-time marks set by defenseman Brian Connelly...The blueliner leads the Hogs with 11 points (2g, 9a) in 13 games since making his team season debut on Jan. 23.

-Tyler Sikura scored his 16th goal of the season on Friday and now leads the team and ranks third in the AHL with 13 goals over his last 26 games since Dec. 28...In addition and with his goal at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Sikura has now potted 11 of his 16 goals while on the road this season.

UPCOMING GAMES:
Wednesday, Feb. 28 | Texas vs. Rockford (7 p.m.) The IceHogs take on the Stars for a Fas Fuel Winning Weekday game where fans can enjoy discounted hot dogs, select beer and companion tickets. Former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman and Stanley Cup champion Brian Campbell will also be in attendance, and a select number of fans will have the chance to get an autograph.

Friday, March 2 | Rockford at Milwaukee (7 p.m.) Rockford travels to Van Andel Arena for a road contest against the division-rival Admirals. The Hogs are 2-4-0-1 against Milwaukee through the first seven matchups of the series.

Saturday, March 3 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton vs. Rockford (6 p.m.) The IceHogs host the Penguins for the first time in franchise history at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Saturday is Autism Awareness Night, where fans can purchase mystery pucks signed by both Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs players. The first 1,500 fans will also receive a free puzzle piece cookie cutter and cookie recipe card, courtesy of the Autism Program of Easterseals.