PLAYOFF PRIMER:
BACON BITS: -The Rockford IceHogs won two of three games last week to bolster their overall record to 34-25-4-4 and move into playoff position in the Central Division...Rockford has points in eight of its last nine games, including a season high-tying seven-game point streak from March 3-19, and has suffered just two losses in regulation over its previous 12 contests...The IceHogs are 8-2-1-1 over that 12-game span.
-The Hogs dropped 10 straight games against Central Division opponents from Jan. 20 - March 10, but have since rebounded to win five of the last seven matchups against foes from their own division...Rockford enters the week with points in six of those last seven games (5-1-1-0) against Central opponents.
-Collin Delia earned his 13th win of his rookie season with 33 saves against Chicago on Saturday...With the win, Delia is now unbeaten in regulation over his last eight appearances since Feb. 18...Delia has only once allowed more than three goals in that span and combined for a 6-0-1-1 record with a 2.08 GAA and .924 save percentage.
-Anthony Louis tallied his team-high 38th point and 26th assist during Saturday’s triumph over the Wolves...Louis now has points of four of the last six games and enters the week tied for seventh among AHL rookies in assists and 12th in rookie scoring.
-Forward Chris DiDomenico recorded a goal and an assist against Chicago on Saturday to extend his point streak to a season-high five straight games...DiDomenico has tallied a pair of multi-point efforts during his streak and combined for three goals, four assists and seven points over the last five contests.
-Defenseman Cody Franson has skated even-or-better in each of his last seven games, while notching at least one point in five of those seven contests...Franson has combined for eight points (1g, 7a), a team-high +8 rating and 18 shots during that stretch...The blueliner leads the AHL in plus/minus during that span dating to March 11.
UPCOMING GAMES:
Monday, April 26 | Rockford at Manitoba (7 p.m.) The Rockford IceHogs open a two-game set with the Manitoba Moose at the Bell MTS Place. The IceHogs are 0-1-1-0 through the first two games of the 2017-18 series with the Moose.
Wednesday, April 28 | Rockford at Manitoba (7 p.m.) The Hogs cap their two-game set and the 2017-18 series with Manitoba with a 7 p.m. showdown against the Moose. The IceHogs won three of four road games against Manitoba during last season’s series.
Saturday, March 31 | San Jose vs. Rockford (6 p.m.) The IceHogs host Hawaiian Night as they take on the San Jose Barracuda at 6 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The event will feature tropical-themed jerseys, live Hawaiian music, a luau with hula dancers, pig roast and orange hibiscus flowers imprinted on the ice. In addition, Hogs alumni Brian Bickell will be on-hand for the festivities.
BUD LIGHT MONTHLY MONDAY HOG TALK AT VINTAGE 501
Bud Light Hog Talk returns to Vintage 501 on April 2. 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. Monday's expected guests are defenseman Carl Dahlstrom and forward Henrik Samuelsson.
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.