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WEEK 9 REPORT: HOGS SPLIT WEEKEND, MAINTAIN 4TH IN DIVISION
BACON BITS
The Rockford IceHogs tied the franchise-long home winless streak of six straight games at the BMO Harris Bank Center before snapping the stretch with an overtime win against the San Antonio Rampage on Sunday. The IceHogs have points in four of the last six games (2-2-0-2) to maintain their position in fourth place in the Central Division.
The IceHogs have limited opponents to two or fewer goals in half of their first 24 games this season. In addition, Rockford has allowed more than three goals in only five games on the year, and only once at the BMO (7-2 loss vs. Chicago on Nov. 23). The Hogs enter the week ranked seventh in the AHL with an average of just 2.88 goals allowed per game.
Conversely, Rockford has scored two or fewer goals in 14 of 24 games on the year, including two shutouts. The Hogs are last in the AHL with an average of 2.33 goals per game. That total is .17 goals fewer than an other team in the league.
Rockford has killed off each of the last 14 opposing power plays over the last four games. Rockford is fifth in the AHL with an 87.1 efficiency on the PK, and has only once allowed more than one power-play goal in a game. The Hogs also enter the week ranked third in the AHL with a 91.7 efficiency on home ice, having allowed just three total power-play goals in 36 times shorthanded at the BMO.
Kevin Lankinen made a career-high 36 saves to earn his first AHL win Sunday against the Rampage. Lankinen went unbeaten in four ECHL starts with the Indy Fuel this season, but was 0-2-1 through his first three appearances with the IceHogs. Lankinen is now 1-2-1 with a 2.69 GAA for Rockford.
Darren Raddysh picked up his 15th point with an assist against the Rampage. He is second on the team in scoring, leads all IceHogs blueliners in points and is tied for 11th among AHL defensemen in scoring. Raddysh’s 15 points through 24 games are also just seven points shy of his season’s total from 66 games during his rookie campaign in 2017-18.
UPCOMING GAMES
Friday, Dec. 7 | Rockford vs. Grand Rapids (7 p.m.) The Rockford IceHogs host the Grand Rapids Griffins for the first time of the 2018-19 season. The first 1,000 fans ages 21 and up in attendance will receive a FREE cooler bag, courtesy of Bud Light.
Saturday, Dec. 8 | Rockford vs. Chicago Wolves (6 p.m.) The IceHogs host an Illinois Lottery Cup matchup against the Chicago Wolves on Saturday at 6 p.m. Rockford currently leads in the series with a 2-1-0-0 mark through the first three matchups this season.
BUD LIGHT MONTHLY MONDAY HOG TALK AT VINTAGE 501
Bud Light Hog Talk returns to Vintage 501 TONIGHT (Dec. 3). Vintage 501 is located in downtown Rockford at 501 E. State St. Fans can join broadcaster Joseph Zakrzewski 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. The expected guests are goaltender Collin Delia and defenseman Darren Raddysh.
ICEHOGS BROADCASTING NETWORK
Catch the IceHogs this season on WIFR’s 23.2 Antenna TV. 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 watchtheAHL.com. Each 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, facebook.com/rockfordicehogs 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 2018-19!
IceHogs individual game tickets can be purchased by calling (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for any regular season home game during the 2018-19 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.
