WINNERS WEAR PINK AS HOGS DEFEAT ADMIRALS 3-1

01/28/2012 7:05 PM By: Stephen Nelson Photo by Greg Hamil Rockford, Ill.- Through the first three months of the season, the Rockford IceHogs only garnered 11 wins. But the IceHogs nearly matched that total in January alone, notching nine wins and ending the month on a seven game point streak with a record of 6-0-0-1 after a 3-1 win over the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday night in front of a sell-out crowd at the BMO Harris Bank Center. It was the third annual Pink in the Rink night on Saturday, and a crowd of 6,287 came out to see the IceHogs win, the fourth largest attendance in IceHogs AHL history. Knotted up at 1-1 heading into the middle frame, Joe Lavin broke the tie with his second goal of the season. The rookie defenseman started a rush up the ice after receiving a pass from Jeremy Morin, and  blasted a shot from the Milwaukee blue line past Jeremy Smith to give the IceHogs a 2-1 lead. Brandon Pirri earned his second helper of the night on the play and is now riding a season-high seven game point streak. The centerman has 3g-4a-7pts in that span and leads Rockford with 45 points (19g-26a) on the campaign. With less than two minutes to go in the second period, the IceHogs took advantage of a power play opportunity to increase their lead to 3-1. Byron Froese and Ben Smith set up Brian Fahey, who fired a shot from the right side past Jeremy Smith to give Rockford a two goal lead heading into the second intermission. Carter Hutton held the Admirals off the board the rest of the way to earn his 10th win of the season on 27 saves, while Jeremy Smith kicked away 27 IceHogs shots in the loss.  Rostislav Olesz put the IceHogs on the board first less than five minutes into the opening period. Lavin ripped a shot from the blue line that Olesz redirected, and Jeremy Smith could not react fast enough as the puck slipped past him at 4:15 of the opening frame. The marker was Olesz’s 10th of the season, and the winger now has eight points (3g-5a) in his last six games. Milwaukee tied the game at the 12:44 mark of the first frame. Taylor Beck tipped in a point shot from Scott Valentine over the glove of Hutton to make it a 1-1 game. After giving up four power play goals against Charlotte on Thursday and Friday, Rockford’s penalty kill stopped all four Milwaukee attempts on Saturday. The IceHogs were 1-for-5 on their man advantage opportunities. Next Home Game: Wednesday, Feb. 8 vs. Lake Erie Monsters. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs return to the BMO Harris Bank Center for the first time since the All Star break to play their first home game in the month of February. It’s a Taco Bell Dollar Day. Fans can purchase beers, hot dogs, soft drinks and companion tickets for just one dollar a piece. Don’t forget to follow the IceHogs on Twitter (@goicehogs) and Facebook.

BLACKHAWKS ASSIGN HAYES TO ROCKFORD

01/28/2012 3:26 PM By: Nate Haeni Rockford, Ill.- The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Saturday that they have returned forward Jimmy Hayes on loan to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. Hayes, 22, has tallied four goals and three assists in 13 games with the Blackhawks this season. The Dorchester, Mass. Native earned his first NHL recall on Dec. 29, becoming the 45th different IceHogs skater to get recalled to the National Hockey League and fourth during 2011-12 to the call from Chicago. The rookie winger ranks ninth on the IceHogs in scoring with 18 points (5g-13a) in 28 games this season. Hayes was held scoreless in seven tilts with Rockford in 2010-11 after joining the team following his junior season at Boston College. In 117 contests for the Golden Eagles, Hayes recorded 42 goals and 39 assists. The Blackhawks acquired Hayes from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a second round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft after being selected by Toronto in the second round (#60 overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Next Home Game: Wednesday, Feb. 8 vs. Lake Erie Monsters. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs return to the BMO Harris Bank Center for the first time since the All Star break to play their first home game in the month of February. It’s a Taco Bell Dollar Day. Fans can purchase beers, hot dogs, soft drinks and companion tickets for just one dollar a piece. Don’t forget to follow the IceHogs on Twitter (@goicehogs) and Facebook.

ALL-STAR D-MAN CONNELLY DEALT TO CALGARY

01/27/2012 7:46 PM

Chicago, Ill.-The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired center Brendan Morrison from the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenseman Brian Connelly. Morrison, 36, has appeared in 923 career National Hockey League regular-season games over parts of 15 seasons, collecting 200 goals, 601 points and 446 penalty minutes. The Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, native, has spent each of the last two years with the Calgary Flames, which includes notching seven assists and 11 points in 28 contests this season. He collected his 200th career NHL goal on January 1 against Nashville and his 600th career NHL point on December 29, 2011 against New Jersey. Morrison also tied a career-high earlier this season with a four-point effort on December 6 against Carolina. Morrison has reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs nine times during his career, racking up 29 points (8G, 21A) and 40 penalty minutes in 58 postseason tilts. He has skated for the New Jersey Devils (1998-2000), Vancouver Canucks (2000-08), Anaheim Ducks (2008-09), Dallas Stars (2008-09), Washington Capitals (2009-10) and Flames (2010-12). Morrison has collected at least 51 points six times in his career and has reached the 20-goal plateau four times. Prior to turning pro late in 1998, Morrison played four seasons at the University of Michigan (CCHA), amassing 284 points (102G, 182A) in 155 career games, which includes helping the school to a National Championship in 1996 an winning the Hobey Baker Award in 1998 after finishing as a finalist in 1996 and 1997. Morrison’s career marks in points and assists are still a school record. He netted the overtime winner to clinch Michigan’s National Championship in 1996 and was named NCAA Tournament MVP. Connelly, 25, has spent parts of the last four seasons as a member of the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs, tallying 126 points (21G, 105A) in 211 regular-season games. He originally signed with the Blackhawks on June 8, 2009. Connelly is Rockford's all-time leader for assists and points by a defenseman and was recently selected to his second-straight AHL All-Star Game.

LEBLANC LEADS ANOTHER COMEBACK WIN FOR ROCKFORD

01/27/2012 10:15 AM

By: Mike Peck

Center tallies second straight-two goal night, Richards earns the win in goal Charlotte, N.C.-Comebacks are becoming the norm for the Rockford IceHogs in the month of January.  For the fourth time since Jan. 8, the IceHogs earned a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Charlotte Checkers at the Time Warner Cable Arena on Friday night. Rockford is 4-0-0-1 when trailing after the second period since Jan. 8 and have now picked up points in six straight games (5-0-0-1). Down 2-0, Peter LeBlanc began the comeback midway through the second period. On a power play, LeBlanc cranked his 14th goal of the year past John Muse at 11:00 of the frame from the right point to pull Rockford back within a goal. LeBlanc struck again for Rockford midway through the third period. Brian Fahey’s shot was blocked down and LeBlanc picked up the rebound and tucked his 15th goal of the season under the cross bar and in at 9:10 for his second straight two-goal night. Rockford snagged their first lead of the weekend on the Checkers with a Dylan Olsen marker at 11:47. Rostislav Olesz saucered a cross-ice feed to Olsen at the left point and the d-man blasted his third tally of the season past a screened Muse for a 3-2 advantage. Rockford staved off a late Charlotte power play and held on for the win. Five of the six games between the IceHogs and Checkers this season finished in a one-goal outcome. Rockford is 2-2-0-2 against the Midwest Division leaders this season. The IceHogs penalty kill coughed up the first goal on Friday. Bobby Sanguinetti blasted his fourth goal of the season off of the shoulder of Alec Richards and in at 13:15 for a 1-0 lead. The power-play goal came after Rockford failed to convert on a 1:40 five-on-three power play earlier in the period. In the second period, Charlotte extended their lead to 2-0. Rasmus Rissanen ripped a shot from the left point and Riley Nash redirected the shot over Richards top shelf for his seventh goal of the season at 9:59. Richards, making his first start since Jan. 11, made 23 saves to pick up the win. Rockford finished 1-4 on the power play while holding the Checkers to 1-3. Next Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 28 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Rockford and Milwaukee meet up once again at the BMO Harris Bank Center for the IceHogs Annual Pink in the Rink Night. The ice will be pink and the IceHogs will be wearing special pink jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit breast cancer research and awareness.  For every goal that the Rockford IceHogs score in 2011-12, IceHogs head coach Ted Dent will make a donation to children’s cancer research. BMO Harris Bank will also make a donation for every goal to the “BMO Harris Bank Goals For Grades”

LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT DESIGNS GOALIE MASK

01/26/2012 1:38 PM

By: Nate Haeni

Rockford, Ill. – When Rockford IceHogs goaltender Alexander Salak returns to the ice after recovering from an injury, he will be sporting a new goalie mask thanks to Gregory Roskowic. The IceHogs held a contest for the art classes at Lincoln Middle School to design a mask for Salak to wear for the remainder of the 2011-12 season. The teachers and staff at Lincoln narrowed all the submissions down to 10 finalists. After reviewing the finalists, Salak selected Roskowic’s design as the winner. With the winning design, Roskowic’s name is featured on the back of the helmet.  Salak visited with the students at Lincoln in November to go over some items of interest that they could include on the mask, but left the overall design in the hands of the students and their creativity. Beginning in February, the IceHogs will sell raffle tickets for the mask at every IceHogs home game. The tickets are $5 each or five for $20. A portion of the proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Sydney Ives Foundation. Sydney Ives was made an honorary IceHogs team member on May 20, 2009. Ives was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor the year prior. She passed away on Nov. 7, 2009 and the foundation is in her memory. For more information about the Sydney Ives Foundation or to donate, visit sydneyives.com Next Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 28 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Rockford and Milwaukee meet up once again at the BMO Harris Bank Center for the IceHogs Annual Pink in the Rink Night. The ice will be pink and the IceHogs will be wearing special pink jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit breast cancer research and awareness.

HOT HOGS LOOK TO AVOID CHECKERS

01/26/2012 8:52 AM

By: Mike Peck

Rockford in Charlotte for two-game set Charlotte, N.C.-The standings say the first place team against the last place team, but the way the Rockford IceHogs have been playing, they don’t care who they’re playing. The IceHogs are in Charlotte tonight to take on the first place Checkers at 6 p.m. at Times Warner Cable Arena. Tonight’s game can be heard on 100.5 NTA FM, 1330 AM WNTA, 1380 AM WTJK, nta.fm or on Comcast Cable channel-57. To watch, visit AHLlive.com Rockford has won four in a row and six of their last eight and they’re getting defensive in the process. Over their past eight games, the IceHogs have scored just 21 goals (2.63 goals per game), but have allowed 17 (2.13 goals per game). Carter Hutton has been the rock between the pipes lately as he garnered the AHL’s Player of the Week last week after going 4-0-0-0 with a .960 save percentage and a 1.25 goals against average. The offense should get a healthy shot in the arm tonight as both Brandon Pirri (18g-23a-41pts) and Ben Smith (12g-9a-21pts) were returned to the IceHogs from the Blackhawks on Wednesday. In four games against the Checkers this season, Rockford is 1-2-0-1, but three of the four games have been decided by one goal and the other by two tallies. The Midwest Division foes will face off again on Friday in Charlotte and then two more during the final week of the regular season in Rockford. January has been kind to Rockford so far as the team is 7-3-0-0 during the first month of 2012 with three games left in the month. The seven wins is three more than the club’s season high for most wins in a month in 2011-12 as Rockford won four times in both October and November. Next Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 28 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Rockford and Milwaukee meet up once again at the BMO Harris Bank Center for the IceHogs Annual Pink in the Rink Night. The ice will be pink and the IceHogs will be wearing special pink jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit breast cancer research and awareness.  For every goal that the Rockford IceHogs score in 2011-12, IceHogs head coach Ted Dent will make a donation to children’s cancer research. BMO Harris Bank will also make a donation for every goal to the “BMO Harris Bank Goals For Grades”

ROCKFORD OVERCOMES THREE-GOAL DEFICIT TO EARN A POINT

01/26/2012 3:52 PM

By: Mike Peck

LeBlanc nets two markers in 4-3 shootout loss in Charlotte Charlotte, N.C.-A sluggish start had the Rockford IceHogs down 3-0 against the Charlotte Checkers on Thursday, but the IceHogs were able to steal a point from the Midwest Division leaders at the Time Warner Cable Arena in a 4-3 shootout loss. Rockford climbed on the board 1:01 before the second intermission to start their comeback. Peter LeBlanc batted his 12th goal of the season past John Muse off a Rositisalv Olesz rebound to make it 3-1 Charlotte after two periods. LeBlanc struck again for Rockford in the third period to pull the IceHogs within a goal. The second-year winger out-raced the Checkers defense to a loose puck in the Charlotte zone and he flipped his second goal of the night over Muse at 7:32 to make it 3-2. With just 1:30 remaining in regulation, Brandon Pirri would tie the game and force extra hockey. Brandon Segal fed Pirri over the Checkers line and Pirri ripped his 19th tally of the season over the glove of Muse. After a scoreless overtime, Charlotte picked up goals from Drayson Bowman, Chris Terry and Matthew Pistilli to out distance the IceHogs who had tallies from Brandon Bollig and Olesz in the shootout. Entering Thursday’s game, Rockford had killed off 27 straight penalties, but the Checkers made quick work of that streak. Riley Nash tipped in a Drayson Bowman centering feed 5:46 into the first period to put Charlotte up 1-0 on the power play. In the second period the Checkers made it 2-for-2 on the advantage as the same combo hooked up to give Charlotte a 2-0 lead. Bowman set Nash up for a one-timer from on top of the left face-off circle and the centerman buried his second goal of the night at 2:59. Another second-period power play strike extended Rockford’s deficit to 3-0. Zac Dalpe tipped a Zach Boychuk pass under Carter Hutton at 8:57 of the second frame for his tenth goal of the season. Hutton made 26 saves in the shootout loss while Muse turned away 29 Rockford shots to pick up the win. The two teams will engage in a rematch in Charlotte on Friday as three of the five games head-to-head this season have finished in a shootout. Next Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 28 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Rockford and Milwaukee meet up once again at the BMO Harris Bank Center for the IceHogs Annual Pink in the Rink Night. The ice will be pink and the IceHogs will be wearing special pink jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit breast cancer research and awareness.  For every goal that the Rockford IceHogs score in 2011-12, IceHogs head coach Ted Dent will make a donation to children’s cancer research. BMO Harris Bank will also make a donation for every goal to the “BMO Harris Bank Goals For Grades”

PINK IN THE RINK NIGHT SET FOR SATURDAY

01/25/2012 4:06 PM By: Nate Haeni Rockford, Ill. – Fans coming to watch the Rockford IceHogs take on the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday, Jan. 28 will notice the BMO Harris Bank Center will be decked out in pink as the IceHogs have teamed up with the American Cancer Society to host Pink in the Rink Night at 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs will dye the ice pink and also wear special jerseys which will be raffled and auctioned off during the game. Three of the player’s jerseys will be raffled off during the game. Raffle tickets will be available for $5 per ticket or five tickets for $20. The rest of the IceHogs special pink game worn jerseys will be available for bid during a silent auction where fans can submit bids for their favorite player. Winners of the jerseys will be announced during the third period and all winners will be presented with their jersey on the ice immediately following Saturday’s game. A portion of the proceeds from this year’s Pink in the Rink Night will benefit the American Cancer Society. The first 5,000 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs pink rally towel courtesy of Rasmussen College, Dickerson and Nieman Realtors, and Metroplitan Title Agency. For tickets to Saturday’s tilt, or any IceHogs game, call (815) 968-5222, visit icehogs.com or stop by the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office, open 12-5 p.m. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. For more information about the American Cancer Society, visit cancer.org. Next Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 28 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Rockford and Milwaukee meet up once again at the BMO Harris Bank Center for the IceHogs Annual Pink in the Rink Night. The ice will be pink and the IceHogs will be wearing special pink jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit breast cancer research and awareness. Don’t forget to follow the IceHogs on Twitter (@goicehogs) and Facebook.

BLACKHAWKS ASSIGN PIRRI AND SMITH TO ROCKFORD

01/25/2012 9:46 AM

By: Nate Haeni

Photo by Greg Hamil Center David Gilbert reassigned to Toledo Rockford, Ill.- The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Wednesday that they have returned forwards Brandon Pirri and Ben Smith on loan to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. Additionally, center David Gilbert has been reassigned to the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. Pirri, 20, has registered two assists and a +2 plus/minus rating in five contests with the Blackhawks this year and paced Chicago with four goals and five points in four games during the 2011 preseason. The Toronto native leads the IceHogs with 18 goals and a +12 plus/minus rating. He also ranks eighth in the AHL with 41 points (18g-23a) in 41 tilts this season. Last season, Pirri led all IceHogs rookies with 31 assists and 43 points in 70 games. Before turning pro, Pirri played one season with RPI (NCAA) and accumulated 11g-32a-43pts in 32 games with the Engineers. Smith, 23, has recorded two goals in 13 regular-season games with Chicago this season. Additionally, the Avon, Connecticut, native shares second on the IceHogs with 12 goals and five power-play markers in 22 AHL tilts. Originally selected by the Blackhawks in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Smith has tallied 21 points (12G, 9A) and a +2 plus/minus rating this year with Rockford. Smith skated in 63 games for the IceHogs during the 2010-11 season, finishing the campaign with 19 goals and 31 points (19g-12a) during his first professional season. For his efforts, Smith was named the IceHogs 2010-11 Rookie of the Year. Gilbert, 20, has registered five points (1g-4a) in 23 games for the IceHogs this season. The Chateauguay, Quebec native has also tallied seven points (1g-6a) in 10 games for the Walleye in 2011-12. Prior to 2011-12, the Blackhawks seventh round (209th overall) pick in 2009 played six total games with the IceHogs over two campaigns following his seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, scoring two goals and two assists. Next Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 28 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Rockford and Milwaukee meet up once again at the BMO Harris Bank Center for the IceHogs Annual Pink in the Rink Night. The ice will be pink and the IceHogs will be wearing special pink jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit breast cancer research and awareness. Don’t forget to follow the IceHogs on Twitter (@goicehogs) and Facebook.

CONNELLY NAMED TO SECOND STRAIGHT ALL STAR GAME

01/24/2012 12:01 PM

By: Kate Munson

Rockford, Ill.- The American Hockey League announced that Rockford IceHogs defenseman Brian Connelly has been added to the 2012 AHL All-Star Game. Connelly will make his second straight All-Star Game appearance when he joins IceHogs center Brandon Pirri representing Rockford in Atlantic City on Sunday, Jan. 29 and Monday, Jan. 30. The honor isn’t the first for Connelly, who was named to the Western Conference All-Star team in 2011 and registered two assists in the contest. Connelly is the first member of the AHL-era IceHogs to be named to multiple All-Star teams. Skating in his fourth season with the IceHogs, Connelly leads Rockford with 31 assists, which is also good for second among AHL d-men. The Bloomington, Minn., native also ranks second in overall scoring from the blueline with 36 points, including five goals in 2011-12. Connelly, 25, finished the 2010-11 season sixth in scoring among AHL defensemen with 52 points and second among his fellow d-men with four game-winning goals. The alternate captain was the only IceHogs skater to play in all 80 games a season ago, setting Rockford AHL records in points (52), goals (11) and assists (41) by a defenseman. Connelly is Rockford's all-time assists leader and defensemen points leader. Tickets for the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic – which include admission to both the 2012 AHL All-Star Skills Competition at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, and the 2012 AHL All-Star Game at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30 – are on sale now at the Boardwalk Hall box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling (800) 736-1420 or at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available for the Post-Skills Party (January 29, 5:30 p.m.) and the 2012 AHL Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Ceremony (January 30, 11 a.m.) at Caesars Atlantic City. The 2012 AHL All-Star Classic will feature the top young talent in the American Hockey League competing in an internationally televised showcase from historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Of the 562 players to take part in the AHL All-Star Classic since 1995, more than 93 percent have competed in the National Hockey League, including Patrice Bergeron, Dan Boyle, Daniel Briere, Ryan Callahan, Brian Campbell, Zdeno Chara, Jimmy Howard, Miikka Kiprusoff, Ryan Miller, Zach Parise, Pekka Rinne, Bobby Ryan, Martin St. Louis, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal, P.K. Subban and Tomas Vokoun.