WEEK 27 RECAP - ROCKFORD WINS THREE OF FOUR IN BUSY WEEK 27

IceHogs remain one point behind Midwest Division lead heading into final week of regular season

Week 27 Recap:
In what was their busiest week of the AHL season, the IceHogs picked up six of a possible eight points while clinching home ice advantage in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Rockford began Week 27 by extending a winning streak to five games with wins against Milwaukee on Tuesday, Iowa on Thursday and Charlotte on Saturday. In their fourth game in six days, the IceHogs fell to the Checkers in Sunday’s rematch to wrap up the road portion of their regular season schedule.

Week 27 Results:
Tuesday, April 7: Milwaukee 3 vs. Rockford 5
Thursday, April 9: Rockford 5 at Iowa 3
Saturday, April 11: Rockford 2 at Charlotte 0
Sunday, April 12: Rockford 3 at Charlotte 4

Week 28 Schedule:
Wednesday, April 15 vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Friday, April 17 vs. Chicago, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 vs. Toronto, 7 p.m.

Bacon Bits:
-Week 27 was the busiest of the season for the IceHogs, who had to play four games in six days including three on the road

-With three wins, Rockford guaranteed themselves a top-four finish in the Western Conference standings, ensuring them home-ice advantage in the Conference Quarterfinals

-Three home games remain on the regular season schedule for the IceHogs, who sit one point behind Grand Rapids for the Midwest Division lead and three points back of Utica for the top spot in the Western Conference

-Saturday’s victory in Charlotte was the 22nd road victory of the season, setting a high mark in IceHogs AHL history

-The 22 wins away from home also ties Rockford’s franchise record, set in the 2006-07 season

-The IceHogs have also matched their AHL-high mark in overall wins, after picking up their 44th victory of the campaign against the Checkers on Saturday

-Rockford’s all-time franchise record for wins in a season stands at 48, set twice in 2006-07 and 2005-06

-Defeating Milwaukee and Iowa to start the week in identical 5-3 fashion, the IceHogs finished a four game stretch where they scored 23 goals - an average of 5.75 goals a game

-Right wing Spencer Abbott factored in all three games he played in over the week, potting four goals and two assists

-With the six-point week, Abbott assumes the team scoring lead with 44 points (18g-26a) in 62 games played this season

-In his 16 games with the IceHogs, Abbott has piled up 20 points (11g-9a)

-Goaltender Antti Raanta picked up a 25-save shutout on Saturday in Charlotte, Rockford’s 10th team shutout of the year

-Rookie center Tanner Kero picked up a goal in his professional debut on Thursday in Iowa

-Kero scored again on Sunday in Charlotte, giving him two goals in his first three games in the AHL after signing an ATO out of Michigan Tech on April 6

-Fellow ATO-signee Calle Dahlstrom made his AHL debut on Sunday against the Checkers, picking up an assist on Kero’s first-period goal

-Brandon Mashinter scored on a penalty shot to tie the game at three in the third period on Sunday; the first penalty shot awarded to the IceHogs this season

-Rockford hadn’t scored on a penalty shot since Jan. 4, 2014, when Joakim Nordstrom beat Grand Rapids’ Jared Coreau

Hot Hog: Week 27
Spencer Abbott Right Wing (3GP, 4G, 2A, 6PTS, +2)
Rockford trade deadline acquisition Spencer Abbott continues to rattle off points as the regular season heads down the final home stretch. Abbott tallied four points (2g-2a) in Tuesday’s 5-3 win against Milwaukee, and added goals on Thursday in Iowa and Saturday in Charlotte before getting a rest on Sunday. The Hamilton, Ontario native now has 20 points (11g-9a) in 16 appearances with the IceHogs, and has taken over the team scoring lead with 44 points (18g-26a) in 62 games played.

Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, April 15 vs. Charlotte Checkers: Puck drop is at 7 p.m. The IceHogs begin a three-game homestand to close out their regular season schedule when they host Charlotte at the BMO. It is the final WXRX Dollar Day of the season, so fans have one last chance to enjoy hot dogs, sodas, beers and companion tickets all for just $1 each.

Friday, April 17 vs. Chicago Wolves: Face-off is at 7 p.m. The IceHogs finish the season series against their crosstown rivals as the Chicago Wolves visit the BMO. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will pick up an IceHogs beach towel, courtesy of Peak Fitness. Rockford heads into the final meeting with Chicago already having clinched the 2014-15 Illinois Lottery Cup, via their previous victory in Rosemont back on March 15. The IceHogs have a 7-3-1-0 record against the Wolves this season.

Saturday, April 18 vs. Toronto Marlies: Game starts at 7 p.m. Rockford wraps up the regular season schedule against the Toronto Marlies on Fan Appreciation Night at the BMO. Plenty of prizes and giveaways are in store as the IceHogs give thanks for the great hometown support they have received all year long. The first 2,500 people through the gates will leave with a free team photograph.

Bud Light Hog Talk Monday Night At Mulligan’s and Grill:
The season finale of Bud Light Hog Talk is on Monday, April 13 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 final show will feature left wing Garret Ross 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.

2015 Calder Cup Playoff Tickets On Sale Now:
Fans can reserve their seats for the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs by stopping by the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office, calling (815) 968-5222 or online through Ticketmaster. Individual game tickets for the first round start as low at $17. Season ticket holders receive the first two games, labeled “Game A” and “Game B,” of the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs free of charge as it’s included with their ticket package. The two complimentary tickets can be used for the first round only.