WEEK 23 RECAP - ROCKFORD SPLITS ON THE ROAD; CAPTURES LOTTERY CUP
Win in Chicago on Sunday brings IceHogs their second Illinois Lottery Cup title
Week 23 Recap:
Rockford’s weekend on the road may have began with a loss, but it wrapped up with a championship. The IceHogs took one of two during a two-game Midwest Division tour, dropping a 3-1 decision in Grand Rapids on Saturday before taking a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Wolves the next afternoon. The win in Rosemont clinched the Illinois Lottery Cup for Rockford, the second such title in franchise history.
Week 23 Results:
Saturday, March 14, Rockford 1 at Grand Rapids 3
Sunday, March 15, Rockford 4 at Chicago 3
Week 24 Schedule:
Wednesday, March 18 vs. Adirondack, 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 21 vs. Adirondack, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 22 vs. Texas, 4 p.m.
Bacon Bits:
-With their win in Rosemont on Sunday, the IceHogs clinched the season head-to-head series against the Chicago Wolves, earning their second Illinois Lottery Cup title in three years
-The victory was the fourth at Allstate Arena in 2014-15, the most in a season in Rockford’s franchise history
-As of Monday morning, Rockford sits in fifth place in the AHL’s Western Conference with 75 points, one behind the San Antonio Rampage for fourth place and seven behind the Grand Rapids Griffins for first in the conference and the Midwest Division
-The IceHogs have earned points in nine of their last 12 contests dating back Feb. 13, going 8-3-1-0 during that stretch
-Center Peter Regin is riding a five-game point streak, totaling 2g-3a-5pts during the hot stretch
-Dating back to Feb. 14, Regin shows points in eight of his last 10 games, putting up 3g-5a-8pts
-With an assist in both games last weekend, Regin has 29 points on the season (8g-21a), putting him fourth in team scoring
-Forward Spencer Abbott picked up his second multi-point game in four outings with Rockford on Sunday when he marked a goal and an assist
-Mark McNeill secured his team leading fifth game-winning goal on Sunday, with his third-period empty net goal
-The IceHogs scored three times in an eight-minute span during the second period on Sunday against Chicago
-Through 11 of 12 games against the Wolves this season, Rockford has outscored their rivals by a 15-3 margin in the middle frame
-Rockford has surrendered eight goals this season when the opponent has their goalie pulled for the extra attacker, including two on Sunday against the Wolves
-Four of those eight goals with the extra attacker on for the opposition have come against Chicago
-The IceHogs 4-3 win over the Wolves on Sunday marked the team’s 19th road win of the season, two shy of the club record with six road games to go
-After playing six games in 24 days, the IceHogs will close out the regular season with 16 games in 32 days beginning on Wednesday
-Rockford’s power play has scored in six of their last seven games, humming at a 28.0% clip (7/25) over that span
-In their last ten games where they have scored with the extra man since Jan. 30, the IceHogs are 8-2-0-0
-The IceHogs begin a season-long four-game homestand on Wednesday against Adirondack
-Cody Bass leads the IceHogs with 118 penalty minutes this season, but the center hasn’t been whistled for a penalty in seven straight games and has just nine PIMs over his past 11 contests
Hot Hog: Week 23
Peter Regin Center (2GP, 0G, 2A, 2P, +2)
Veteran center Peter Regin has been a steady offensive contributor for the IceHogs over the past month and his production continued in Week 23. Regin marked assists in both of Rockford’s games over the weekend to run his point streak to five straight games, one shy of the IceHogs season high mark of six, held by Mark McNeill. Regin has notched points in eight of his last 10 outings, totaling 3g-5a-8pts. Overall this season, the pivot has 8g-21a-29pts in 54 games for the IceHogs, fourth best in team scoring.
Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, March 18 vs. Adirondack Flames: Game starts at 7 p.m. The IceHogs meet up with the Flames for the first time since October during a WXRX Dollar Day at the BMO. Fans can enjoy one dollar hot dogs, sodas, beers and companion tickets throughout the night. The matchup is the first of three in 10 days between Rockford and Adirondack.
Saturday, March 21 vs. Adirondack Flames: Face-off is at 7 p.m. The IceHogs and Flames meet up again during Country Night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Local band Long-Shot will be providing live music, and the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive an IceHogs BBQ apron courtesy of Vienna Beef.
Sunday, March 22 vs. Texas Stars: Puck drop is at 4 p.m. Sunday marks the 16th Annual Jersey Auction Night for the IceHogs, as they sport special Autism Awareness uniforms to raise money for The Autism Program of Illinois. The first 2,500 fans receive a free IceHogs puzzle, while proceeds from a live auction after the game will benefit The Autism Program and other local initiatives.
Bud Light Hog Talk Monday Night At Mulligan’s and Grill:
Bud Light Hog Talk returns on Monday, March 16 at Mulligan’s Pub and Grill from 6-7 p.m. Mulligan’s is located on North Main St. Fans can join Mike Peck or TJ Hogan from 6-7 p.m. on most Mondays throughout the season, as they chat with IceHogs players, coaches and front office members. The show will feature forward Matt Carey and Head Coach Ted Dent. Take advantage of food and Bud Light specials at Mulligan’s. The show will be re-aired on Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. on WIFR’s 23.2 “Antenna TV.”
The IceHogs Broadcasting Network:
Catch every IceHogs game, home and road, in 2014-15 on WIFR’s 23.2, “Antenna TV.” The games can also be viewed on Comcast Cable channel 436, Charter Cable channel 193 or Mediacom 101 in the Rockford market and online through AHLLive.com. Fans can also listen to the action for free on AHLLive.com. For a complete listing of TV stations carrying IceHogs games, visit IceHogs.com. Every broadcast will start with the IceHogs Warm Up 30 minutes prior to puck drop.
Tickets On Sale for 2014-2015!
IceHogs individual game tickets are now on sale! Call (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for any IceHogs regular season game during the 2014-15 season. Tickets can also be purchased online at IceHogs.com, in person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office in downtown Rockford, or any Ticketmaster outlet, including Walmart.