RIVERMEN SNEAK BY THE ICEHOGS IN A SHOOTOUT

RIVERMEN SNEAK BY THE ICEHOGS IN A SHOOTOUT

Photo by Sievers Photography
02/25/2009 10:46 AM -
Hogs pick up point in first of four on the road
Peoria, Ill.- Antti Niemi and Manny Legace battled back-and-forth all night on Wednesday so it was only fitting that the Rockford IceHogs-Peoria Rivermen match-up went to a sudden death shootout.

It was Legace and the Rivermen, however, outlasting Rockford topping them 2-1 in the first game on the IceHogs four game road swing at Carver Arena.

Neither team could light a lamp until late in the third period. Peoria was first to strike while short handed. Steve Wagner picked up an errant IceHogs pass in the offensive zone and beat Niemi at 15:05 of the final frame for his fifth goal of the season.

Jack Skille would get the equalizer for Rockford to force extra hockey. The winger picked up an Adam Pineault pass and snapped off his 16th goal of the season past Legace at 18:10.

After a scoreless overtime, Rockford tallied the first shootout goal when Mike Radja beat Legace. Peoria countered with a Carl Corazzini goal in round three. In round five both Pineault and Steve Regier tallied and Corazinni gave Peoria the extra with the game winner in the sixth round.

The IceHogs and Rivermen went scoreless in the first period and Rockford’s penalty kill was put to the test three times. The Hogs staved off all three Peoria power plays and Niemi helped keep the Rivermen off the board with a solid glove save off of the stick of Jonathan Filewich on a two-on-one breakaway.

Rockford peppered Legace with 17 second period shots but the results were the same as the two clubs skated through a scoreless second frame. Included in those 17 Rockford shots was a Petri Kontiola penalty shot which he came up unsuccessful.

In five penalty shots in its AHL era, Rockford has converted on just one of them. The penalty shot was the second this season for the IceHogs as Tim Brent failed to convert the other attempt on Feb. 4 at Rochester.

Rockford outshot the Rivermen 34-22 in the contest and held them to 0-5 on the power play. The IceHogs also finished scoreless on the advantage going 0-4.

Next Home Game: Friday, Feb. 27 at Houston Aeros. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m. Rockford heads south to Texas for the first time this season when they battle the Aeros at the Toyota Center. The game is the first of three in Houston on the season and third of six between the West Division foes.

MONSTER THIRD PERIOD PUSHES LAKE ERIE OVER HOGS

MONSTER THIRD PERIOD PUSHES LAKE ERIE OVER HOGS

The IceHogs returned home from a big win over the Milwaukee Admirals to fall 3-1 to the Lake Erie Monsters. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
02/20/2009 2:03 PM -
Lake Erie has not lost to the Hogs in regulation in five meetings all time

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs gave up two goals in the third period to fall 3-1 to the Lake Erie Monsters at the Rockford MetroCentre on Friday.

With the score tied 1-1 in the third period, Lake Erie's Per Ledin scored at 5:52 with assists from Wes O'Neill and Mike Bartlett. Then just eight seconds later T.J. Galiardi took a feed from Mike McCutcheon off of the face off to put the Monsters up by two, which is how the final would stand.

"We're a better hockey club than we were tonight," said defenseman Danny Groulx. "We showed that last night and tonight we came out flat in our own building and that's something that we can't really do at this point in the game."

Evan Brophey got the scoring started at 15:58 in the first period when he beat Jason Bacashihua for his 12th goal of the season. Jack Skille and Niklas Hjalmarsson were credited with the assists.

But the IceHogs offense sputtered the rest of the game, recording only four shots in the first period and six in the second frame. The Hogs finished with 20 shots, giving Bacashihua 19 saves for the win.

"The standings are so close and there are teams pushing really hard behind," Groulx said. "We can't take a night off like we did tonight. Tomorrow we're coming in for a work out and we hope to recharge the batteries and refocus. All of the games are important now. We don't want to just be in the playoffs we want to be on our way up when they come."

In his first career American Hockey League game, Mike Bartlett tipped in his first AHL goal at 4:38 in the second. Bartlett tipped in a shot from McCutcheon.

In five meetings between the two teams, the Monsters have not lost to the IceHogs in regulation. Rockford is now 0-3-0-0 against Lake Erie inside the Rockford MetroCentre.

Corey Crawford had 25 saves in the loss. Both teams were scoreless in four power play attempts.

Next Home Game: Friday, March 6 vs. Quad City Flames. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. The IceHogs and Flames meet up in Rockford for the final time in 2008-09. The first 2,500 kids 14-and under will receive an IceHogs Lunch Tin courtesy of Rock Valley Culligan, Rockford Health Systems and 13 WREX.

MONSTER THIRD PERIOD PUSHES LAKE ERIE OVER HOGS

MONSTER THIRD PERIOD PUSHES LAKE ERIE OVER HOGS

The IceHogs returned home from a big win over the Milwaukee Admirals to fall 3-1 to the Lake Erie Monsters. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
02/20/2009 2:03 PM -
Lake Erie has not lost to the Hogs in regulation in five meetings all time

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs gave up two goals in the third period to fall 3-1 to the Lake Erie Monsters at the Rockford MetroCentre on Friday.

With the score tied 1-1 in the third period, Lake Erie's Per Ledin scored at 5:52 with assists from Wes O'Neill and Mike Bartlett. Then just eight seconds later T.J. Galiardi took a feed from Mike McCutcheon off of the face off to put the Monsters up by two, which is how the final would stand.

"We're a better hockey club than we were tonight," said defenseman Danny Groulx. "We showed that last night and tonight we came out flat in our own building and that's something that we can't really do at this point in the game."

Evan Brophey got the scoring started at 15:58 in the first period when he beat Jason Bacashihua for his 12th goal of the season. Jack Skille and Niklas Hjalmarsson were credited with the assists.

But the IceHogs offense sputtered the rest of the game, recording only four shots in the first period and six in the second frame. The Hogs finished with 20 shots, giving Bacashihua 19 saves for the win.

"The standings are so close and there are teams pushing really hard behind," Groulx said. "We can't take a night off like we did tonight. Tomorrow we're coming in for a work out and we hope to recharge the batteries and refocus. All of the games are important now. We don't want to just be in the playoffs we want to be on our way up when they come."

In his first career American Hockey League game, Mike Bartlett tipped in his first AHL goal at 4:38 in the second. Bartlett tipped in a shot from McCutcheon.

In five meetings between the two teams, the Monsters have not lost to the IceHogs in regulation. Rockford is now 0-3-0-0 against Lake Erie inside the Rockford MetroCentre.

Corey Crawford had 25 saves in the loss. Both teams were scoreless in four power play attempts.

Next Home Game: Friday, March 6 vs. Quad City Flames. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. The IceHogs and Flames meet up in Rockford for the final time in 2008-09. The first 2,500 kids 14-and under will receive an IceHogs Lunch Tin courtesy of Rock Valley Culligan, Rockford Health Systems and 13 WREX.

BRENT’S TRICKERY LEADS ROCKFORD PAST ADS

BRENT’S TRICKERY LEADS ROCKFORD PAST ADS

Photo by Jeff Hanisch
02/19/2009 4:31 PM -
Center tallies four points in 4-1 win

Milwaukee, Wis.- The Bradley Center has not been kind to visitors this season. The Rockford IceHogs, however, found success there in 2008-09 as they knocked off the Milwaukee Admirals 4-1 behind a hat trick performance by Tim Brent on Thursday night.

Rockford completed its season series in Milwaukee with a 3-2-0-0. The two clubs still have three more meetings at the Rockford MetroCentre remaining on the regular season slate.

Brent put Rockford on the board first in the opening frame with his team-leading third short handed goal of the season. Mike Brennan hit Brent in the neutral zone with a break-out pass and Brent beat Drew MacIntyre for his 16th goal of the season at 3:45.

Milwaukee got the equalizer late in the first period on another power play. Hugh Jessiman picked up a rebound off of a Cody Franson shot and beat Corey Crawford for his 14th goal of the season at 18:44.

Rockford’s power play came to life in the second period as they tallied twice to take a 3-1 lead. Petri Kontiola blasted home his 13th goal of the season, beating MacIntyre through traffic at 9:32. Brent and Jack Skille assisted the goal.

Brent later added his second marker of the night, and second straight three-point game when he deflected in a Pascal Pelletier centering pass in transition on another power play at 14:27. Kontiola chipped in an assist as well.

In the third period Brent finished off his hat trick when he picked off a MacIntyre turnover and knocked in his 18th goal of the season at:12:57 unassisted.

Rockford outshot Milwaukee 34-20 and the IceHogs finished the night 2-7 on the power play while holds the Ads to 1-8.

SAN ANTONIO SNAGS 4-3 WIN OVER HOGS IN MONDAY MATINEE

SAN ANTONIO SNAGS 4-3 WIN OVER HOGS IN MONDAY MATINEE

The IceHogs fell 4-3 at the Rockford MetroCentre on the second of two Kids' Days this season on Monday. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
02/16/2009 10:12 AM -
Rockford falls in final home game against San Antonio in 2008-09

Rockford, Ill.- Down 3-0 in the first intermission, the Rockford IceHogs battled back to make it a tight game. But the Hogs couldn't pull through, falling 4-3 to the San Antonio Rampage on Monday at the Rockford MetroCentre.

"We scored three but had the chances to score six," said centerman Tim Brent. "The puck just didn't come out and bounce on our stick. A lot of time that's just going to happen."

Two Kyle Turris shots resulted in two San Antonio goals in the first period. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, Turris drove a laser of a shot past Corey Crawford at 4:49 with helpers from Dylan Reese and Kevin Porter for the first San Antonio goal.

Then he put another one over Crawford's shoulder at 14:37 on a power play in the first period. Joel Perrault and David Spina were also credited with assists.

Then Reese found the back of the net at 19:15 with helpers from Jeff Hoggan and Wyatt Smith to send the IceHogs to the locker room down 3-0.

"They got a couple of good bounces in the first period," Brent said. "I don't think we played bad in the first, but we were a little off the mark. The passes were a little off the tape and when that happens it's hard to create offense."

In the second period, Danny Groulx sent a low-flying drive past Josh Tordjman at 6:40 with assists from Brent and Petri Kontiola to bring the Hogs back within two.

"In the second and third period we beared down and made some good plays," Brent said. "We got the puck to the net and got bodies to the net. That's what it takes."

In the third, the Rampage took back the three-goal lead with a marker from Porter at 3:49. The centerman picked up a loose puck and put it past Crawford. Turris and Spina both had helpers.

But then Brent responded with a marker, redirecting a Pascal Pelletier shot at 5:27. Kontiola was also credited with an assist.

And Brent jumped right back at it, picking up a Jimmy Sharrow pass and solved Tordjman at 8:16 to bring the Hogs within one. Doug Janik also helped.

The Hogs captain has three goals and two assists in his last three games and is averaging a point per game since coming back from injury on Jan. 29 against Manitoba.

"It's tough to miss that much and come back," Brent said. "But At the same point you feel energized and rejuvenated. I was excited to be back and hopefully it shows in my game."

Crawford took the loss with 20 saves, while Tordjman finished with 27 saves. The Hogs were 0-for-4 on the power play, while San Antonio was 1-for-3 on the man advantage.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 20 vs. Lake Erie Monsters: The Rockford IceHogs welcome the Lake Erie Monsters into the Rockford MetroCentre for their only visit to the Forest City in 2008-09 at 7:30 p.m. The first 2,000 fans will get an IceHogs jersey bag courtesy of Rockford Orthopedic and 97 ZOK.

ICEHOGS RETURN HOME TO LOSE 3-1 TO RIVERMEN

ICEHOGS RETURN HOME TO LOSE 3-1 TO RIVERMEN

The Rockford iceHogs dropped a 3-1 contest to Peoria in front of a sold out MetroCentre on Friday. (photo by Greg Hamil)
02/13/2009 12:15 PM -
Hogs and Rivermen split home-and-home series

Rockford, Ill.- In front of their fourth sellout of the season, and a season high 5,951 at the Rockford MetroCentre, the Rockford IceHogs dropped a 3-1 contest to the Peoria Rivermen on Friday.

The IceHogs are 1-1-0-0 against NHL All-Star goaltender Manny Legace and the Rivermen as Legace has allowed just two goals in two games against Rockford after joining the Rivermen earlier this week. He finished with 33 saves on Friday in the back-end of of a home-and-home series.

"Since Rochester we've only had one goal in each game," said Rockford coach Bill Peters. "So give all of those goaltenders credit. Is it the goaltenders going a great job against us or is it us as an offensively challenged team right now not able to generate our offense?"

The scoring started with a Chris Conner goal at 10:48 in the first period. Steve Regier and Trent Whitfield assisted. It is the first time since the All-Star Break (eight games) that the Hogs have not scored the first goal of a game.

"I think we did a great job driving the middle on the odd-man rushes," said Peters. "But we didn't get good looks because we didn't have guys going to the net to back them up."

Then in the second, former IceHogs defenseman Justin Fletcher drove in Peoria's second goal on a power play at 13:41 off of helpers from Whitfield and Regier.

"I didn't mind our first six or seven minutes, but then I thought we were real sleepy the rest of the first period," Peters said. "But then once we fell behind, we got desperate in the third and got a little bit of energy."

The lone IceHogs goal came from captain Tim Brent. Brent finally solved Lagace at 5:10 into the third off of a pass from Pascal Pelletier. Danny Groulx was also credited with an assist.

"We weren't able to get the equalizer," Peters said. "We had a couple of good looks and we had the pucks bouncing a round a little bit in the paint, but nothing went in."

Defenseman Jonas Junland landed an empty-net goal at 18:07 in the third to cap off the win. The assists went to Jeff Cowan and Trent Whitfield who won the puck off of a faceoff.

Corey Crawford had 28 saves on the night. The Hogs finished 1-for-6 on the power play, while Peoria was 1-for-5.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 14 vs. Rochester Americans. The puck drops at 7:05. Happy Valentine's Day from Clodius & Co. Jewelers and the Rockford IceHogs! The Hogs welcome the Rochester Americans into the Rockford MetroCentre for the first and only time in 2008-09. Clodius & Co. Jewelers will be giving away $5,000 in merchandise throughout the night.

NIEMI OUT DOES LEGACE IN 1-0 WIN

NIEMI OUT DOES LEGACE IN 1-0 WIN

Photo by Greg Hamil
02/11/2009 12:43 PM -
Rockford ends road swing 5-2-0-0

Peoria, Ill.- A seven-game road swing came to an end for the Rockford IceHogs on Wednesday night and American Hockey League club blanked the Peoria Rivermen 1-0 at Carver Arena.

Antti Niemi out-dueled Manny Legace, who made his Peoria debut. Both goaltenders made 21 saves, but it was Niemi picking up his second shutout of the season and 13th overall win.

Rockford’s penalty kill continued its road woes in a scoreless first period on Wednesday. On three first period power-play opportunities Rockford managed just one shot in on Legace and the Peoria goal. Rockford would finish the game 0-5 on the
advantage and are now 0-for-their-last-25 on the power play.

Pascal Pelletier solved Legace early in the second period to put Rockford up 1-0. Pelletier snapped a Jack Skille pass past Legace for his team-leading 24th goal of the season. Mike Brennan also helped on the goal at 5:51.

The game’s first 40 minutes of hockey featured just 29 combined shots including 15 by the IceHogs.

In the third period, Rockford was able to hold Peoria off the board, including in the final 1:30 with Legace on the bench for the extra attacker. Rockford’s finished their seven-game road swing 5-2-0-0 and will now return home for three straight home games.

Next Home Game: Friday, Feb. 13 vs. Peoria Rivermen. Rockford returns home at 7:30 p.m. The IceHogs come home after a 19 day hiatus to take on the Rivermen. The first 1,500 kids to the game 14-and-under will receive an IceHogs Youth Jersey courtesy of Feldco Windows and Doors, FOX 39 and 104.9 FM, WXRX.

Kids can enter to win four (4) tickets in the Press Box Suite for the Feb. 13 IceHogs game against Peoria inside Feldco at 747 South Perryville Road in Rockford. The winner and three friends will receive VIP treatment for the night and will get a visit from an IceHogs player during the game.

HOGS OFFENSE STALLS IN IOWA

HOGS OFFENSE STALLS IN IOWA

Photo by Greg Hamil
02/07/2009 2:23 PM -
Rockford drops second straight 4-1 game

Des Moines, Iowa- For the second straight night the Rockford IceHogs suffered a 4-1 loss. On Saturday it was at the hands of the Iowa Chops at the Wells Fargo Arena.

The loss drops Rockford to 4-2-0-0 on the team’s season-long seven-game road swing which will conclude on Wednesday in Peoria.

Rockford and Iowa went scoreless in the opening period on Saturday night with just 12 combined shots. Rockford managed just five shots in on David LeNeveu while Iowa chipped seven in on Corey Crawford.

For the sixth consecutive road game the IceHogs tallied the first goal. While short handed, Tim Hambly hit Petri Kontiola with a long pass and the IceHogs center blasted his 11th goal of the season past LeNeveu at 4:14.

But liked they’ve done in each of the past two visits to Iowa, Rockford gave up the big period. Just after his penalty expired, Adrian Veideman hopped out of the box and picked up a Troy Bodie pass and beat Crawford at 12:23 to tie the game at 1-1.

Then the IceHogs penalty kill coughed up two more goals. The first came when Brian Salcido’s point blast bounced off the back half wall and off of an Petteri Wirtanen's skate and in at 14:19 for his eighth goal of the season.

Salcido would strike again, this time on a five-on-three advantage at 19:54 of the middle frame. The Iowa d-man blasted his seventh goal of the season past Crawford off of a set up from Matt Beleskey putting the Chops on top 3-1.

LeNevue and the Chops would deny a third period comeback for Rockford as the only goal in the final frame was potted by Wirtanen into an empty Rockford goal at 19:06.

The IceHogs finished the night 0-7 on the power play while Iowa went 2-5. Crawford was handed the loss after making 24 saves while LeNeveu got the win with 22 saves on 23 Rockford shots.

Game Highlights
Kontiola Second Period Goal
Salcido Second Period Goal
Next Home Game: Friday, Feb. 13 vs. Peoria Rivermen. Rockford returns home at 7:30 p.m. The IceHogs come home after a 19 day hiatus to take on the Rivermen. The first 1,500 kids to the game 14-and-under will receive an IceHogs Youth Jersey courtesy of Feldco Windows and Doors, FOX 39 and 104.9 FM, WXRX.

Kids can enter to win four (4) tickets in the Press Box Suite for the Feb. 13 IceHogs game against Peoria inside Feldco at 747 South Perryville Road in Rockford. The winner and three friends will receive VIP treatment for the night and will get a visit from an IceHogs player during the game.

SPECIAL TEAMS FLOUNDER IN MILWAUKEE

SPECIAL TEAMS FLOUNDER IN MILWAUKEE

Photo by Jeff Hanisch
02/06/2009 11:44 AM -
Hogs four game win streak halted

Milwaukee, Wis.- Special teams did the Rockford IceHogs in on Friday night as the American Hockey League club dropped a 4-1 decision to the Milwaukee Admirals at the Bradley Center.

With eight power-play opportunities, Rockford came up empty on all of them on Friday while allowing two power-play tallies on four Milwaukee chances.

Rockford notched the only first period goal to grab the 1-0. Rob Klinkhammer picked up an Adam Hobson pass, stepped out in front of Milwaukee goaltender Drew MacIntyre and beat him for his 12th goal of the season at 15:06. Tim Hambly also assisted on the goal.

The IceHogs had an opportunity to extend the lead with a five-on-three power play, but MacIntyre and the Admirals penalty kill snuffed it out to keep it 1-0 at the first intermission.

Milwaukee countered with a power-play goal in the second period to tie the game at 1-1. Defenseman Cody Franson blasted his seventh goal of the season through traffic at 3:54 past Antti Niemi. Cal O’Reilly and Mike Santorelli assisted the goal.

The Admirals took their first lead of the night at 4:30 of the third period when Geoff Peters hacked in a Ryan Maki rebound in for his third goal of the season. Maki then made it 3-1 at 6:57 of the frame picking up an IceHogs turnover and beating Niemi over the blocker for his fourth goal of the season.

Santorelli later iced the game with the Admirals second power play goal of the night and his 15th goal of the season at 15:06. O’Reilly and Franson marked assists on the goal.

The IceHogs outshot Milwaukee 27-19 in the game and the loss snapped Rockford’s four-game road winning streak. The IceHogs are now 4-1-0-0 on their season long seven game road swing.

ROCKFORD WINS FOURTH STRAIGHT ON ROAD SWING

ROCKFORD WINS FOURTH STRAIGHT ON ROAD SWING

Photo by Jim Orlando
02/04/2009 3:43 PM -
Crawford backstops IceHogs to 2-1 win over Rochester

Rochester, NY.- They don’t ask how, they ask how many. That’s probably the best way to describe the Rockford IceHogs 2-1 win over the Rochester Americans on Wednesday night at the Blue Cross Arena.

In their fourth game of a season-high seven-game road swing, the IceHogs pulled off its fourth straight win behind strong goaltending from Corey Crawford who came within 51 seconds of a shutout.

The IceHogs tallied the only first period goal. Off of an offensive zone face-off win, center Jake Dowell picked up a Niklas Hjalmarsson pass and knocked it past Rochester goalie Tyler Plante at 6:32 for his third goal of the season. Rob Klinkhammer also helped on the marker.

Rockford had a couple of opportunities to extend their lead in the first and second period. Tim Brent failed to convert on a penalty shot attempt at 10:14 of the first period and the IceHogs managed just one shot on goal during a five-minute power play in the second frame.

Pascal Pelletier gave Rockford some insurance in the third period and they would need it. Dowell and winger Adam Pineault won their respective battles for the loose puck in the Rochester zone and Dowell set up Pelletier for his team leading 23rd goal of the season at 5:07.

With Plante on the bench, the Amerks would pull back within one late in the game. Winger Michal Repik would pick up a batted puck and backhand in his ninth goal of the season ruining Crawford’s shutout bid at 19:09. Michael Duco and Karl Stewart helped.

Both team’s finished 0-5 on the power play and Rockford peppered Plante with 33 shots in the win. The four-game road winning streak is a season high for the IceHogs.

ICEHOGS ROLL OVER MARLIES TO WIN THIRD STRAIGHT

ICEHOGS ROLL OVER MARLIES TO WIN THIRD STRAIGHT

Tim Brent added a goal and two assists in Rockford's 6-3 win on Saturday. (Photo by im Orlando)
01/31/2009 11:06 AM -
Six-goal outburst carries IceHogs in Toronto

Toronto, Ont.- Tired legs weren’t an issue for the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday as the American Hockey League club sailed to a 6-3 win over the Toronto Marlies at the Ricoh Coliseum. aThe win was Rockford’s third in a row to begin its season-long seven game road swing.

Despite playing their third game in three days, including an early-morning plane from Manitoba on Saturday, it was the IceHogs jumping on top of the Marlies in the opening period. Evan Brophey got things going for Rockford in the first period when he snuck his 10th goal of the season past Justin Pogge. Adam Pineault set him up at 8:44.

Brophey and Pineault figured in on Rockford’s second goal at 10:57 of the frame. The combo assisted on a tick-tac-toe goal that was finished by rookie winger Mike Radja. The marker was Radja’s 10th of the season.

The IceHogs took advantage of their only power play of the period to push their lead to 3-0. Rookie winger Judd Blackwater hammered in his second goal of the campaign off of a perfect centering feed from Tim Brent at 15:26.

Penalty problems cost Rockford in the second period as Toronto chipped in two four-on-three power-play goals. Tim Stapleton was first to strike at 5:51 cutting the IceHogs lead down to 3-1 with his 10th goal of the season past Corey Crawford.

Bates Battaglia then made it a one-goal game when he jammed a loose puck under Crawford in at 7:12 for his 12th lamp lighter of the season. Kris Newbury set up both goals.

Rockford got the goal back with another power tally. Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson sniped his second goal of season under the cross bar at 15:54 set up by Radja and Pineault.

Blackwater later pushed Rockford’s lead back to three goals with his second goal of the night. The rookie winger picked up another pin point pass from Brent and knocked his third goal home at 17:44, making it 5-2 after two. Tim Hambly also helped.

Toronto attempted a third period comeback when Jiri Tlusty fired home his ninth goal of the season at 14:15 making it a 5-3 game. With Pogge pulled, the IceHogs iced the game as Brent tallied an empty-net goal for the second straight night after Kontiola forced a turnover at 19:39.

Rockford was outshot in each of the three periods and 31-21 overall, but picked up the win after Crawford made 28 saves. Pogge was given the loss after turning away 15 IceHogs shots.

EARLY BURST ENOUGH FOR ICEHOGS

EARLY BURST ENOUGH FOR ICEHOGS

Photo by Greg Hamil
01/30/2009 12:54 PM -
Niemi backstops Rockford to 4-1 win over Manitoba

Winnipeg, Man.- For the second straight night Antti Niemi stymied the Manitoba Moose. On Friday Niemi turned away 28 shots and received some early offense en route to a 4-1 Rockford victory at the MTS Centre in Manitoba and a two-game sweep over the Moose.

Rockford struck twice early to grab a 2-0 lead in the first period on Friday. Just 20 seconds into the game Petri Kontiola's shot from the slot deflected off of Tim Brent's stick and past Cory Schneider for his 10th goal of the season. Jimmy Sharrow helped and the goal was the quickest marker scored by an IceHogs player in the Hogs AHL era.

The lead was extended to 2-0 at 2:57 when Adam Pineault snapped off his seventh marker of the campaign beating Schneider over the glove. The goal was assisted by Mike Radja.

The second period started off similar to the first for Rockford as defenseman Danny Groulx tacked on a marker against his former team. The blue liner picked up a Radja pass and blasted his fourth goal of the season past Schneider, chasing him from the game at 2:39 of the middle frame. Pete MacArthur figured in on the scoring as well.

Manitoba cracked Niemi in the second to cut the IceHogs lead back down to two. While on a power play Pierre Cedric Labrie chipped in his fourth lamp lighter of the season at 7:45 in traffic making it 3-1.

That was all that Niemi would allow as he picked up his second straight road win following a personal five-game road losing streak. Rockford sealed the game with an empty netter from Brent, his second goal of the game, at 19:49 of the final frame.

Schneider was tagged with the loss after blocking just five of eight Rockford shots. The IceHogs held the Moose to 1-4 on the power play while going scoreless on three opportunities of their own.

ROCKFORD FALLS 4-2 GOING INTO ALL-STAR BREAK

ROCKFORD FALLS 4-2 GOING INTO ALL-STAR BREAK

Rob Klinkhammer scored one of Rockford's two come-back goals, but the Hogs couldn't finish off the resurgence, falling 4-2 to Milwaukee. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
01/24/2009 6:38 PM -
The Hogs finish 2-2-0-0 in final week of first half

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs couldn't grab two points going into the All-Star Break from the first-place Milwaukee Admirals at the Rockford MetroCentre. The Hogs fell 4-2 after coming back twice to tie the game in front of a sold out MetroCentre of 5,817.

Rockford found itself down early thanks to a Mike Santorelli goal just 12 seconds into the game, marking the fastest goal allowed to start a game for the IceHogs in club history. The previous record was set on March 24, 2004 by Quad City. Mallards center Jeff Williams 14 seconds into the game.

Rob Klinkhammer found the back of the net off of a Tim Hambly pass at 15:59 to even the score. Niklas Hjalmarsson also assisted on the goal.

"I thought we responded pretty well," said Rockford defenseman Jimmy Sharrow. "I thought we got down a little bit, the shoulder dropped a bit, but we bounced back once we got that one and picked it up."

But then Kelsey Wilson put the Ads back up again at 19:20 when he picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone as his penalty expired and finished a break away past Corey Crawford. Nick Spaling was credited with an assist.

In the second period, Dan Bertram scored his third goal of the season and third in as many games off of helpers from Hjalmarsson and Adam Berti to tie the game at 2-2.

Then Ryan Jones put the Ads up again with a wrap-around goal at 3:49 in the third. Mike Santorelli was credited with an assist.

"They're a speedy team and a good hockey team and obviousy that's why they're first in the division," Sharrow said. "I thought we stayed with them tonight then we gave up that one right in the start of the first period and that's not something you don't want to do."

And Cal O'Reilly added a little padding at 13:13, taking a dish on the breakaway from Patric Hornqvist.

The Admirals were 0-for-2 on the power play, pushing Rockford's improving penalty kill to 28th place in the league. The IceHogs were 0-for-4 on the power play.

Crawford and Drew MacIntyre both finished with 31 saves.

ICEHOGS ROLL TO 6-2 WIN OVER IOWA AT HOME

ICEHOGS ROLL TO 6-2 WIN OVER IOWA AT HOME

The Rockford IceHogs beat the Iowa Chops for the first time in four games at the Rockford MetroCentre on Friday. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
01/23/2009 5:53 PM -
IceHogs avenge road loss in back end of home-and-home

Rockford, Ill.- A banged up Rockford IceHogs squad got some offense from a group of new names and a strong performance on the penalty kill to grab a 6-2 win over the Iowa Chops on Friday at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Dan Bertram, Adam Pineault, Adam Hobson and Jake Dowell all notched goals to push Rockford into second place in the West Division on Denis Savard Night.

"It's nice to see Pineault get his first goal with our team and Dowell got rewarded for working hard on the penalty kill," said assistant coach Ted Dent. "It's good to get some offense from those guys who normally don't provide it."

Bertram started the scoring as he picked up a feed from Dowell in front of the net and put it past David LeNeveu at 11:37 in the first period to give the IceHogs the advantage.

But Ryan Donally evened the score at 13:14 with assists from Charlie Kronschnabel and Logan Stephenson.

Then Pineault gave the Hogs the advantage again at 17:08 on a power play with assists from Danny Groulx and Petri Kontiola.

"We got some pucks to the net tonight that normally wouldn't go in," said Dent. "I think we generated some offense off of that and I think we worked really hard tonight to get those opportunities."

In his eighth game with the IceHogs in 2008-09, Hobson recorded his first goal to give Rockford a little bit of a cushion. Hobson picked up a loose puck in a scrum in front of the net at 7:28 in the second frame and put it past LeNeveu. Assists were credited to Tim Hambly and Nathan Davis.

Then Pascal Pelletier picked the corner of the net for his team-leading 22nd goal of the season at 17:34 in the second with helpers from Kontiola and Pineault.

T.J. Trevelyan sniped the corner of the goal on the other side of the ice at 18:57 in the middle frame to bring the Chops back within two. Assists came from Brennan Evans and Brendan Mikkelson.

In the third, Dowell pushed the score to 5-2 with a short-handed breakaway goal at 7:12 with a helper from Jimmy Sharrow. Both of Dowell's goals in 2008-09 have come on the penalty kill.

"(The penalty kill) has been strong the last three or four games," said Dent. "It goes in stretches where it's really good and then those where it's really bad. Hopefully we can turn the corner on this and build on tonight's game."

Pete MacArthur got in on the action at 10:26 with his sixth goal of the season with helpers from Evan Brophey and Rob Klinkhammer to push the score to 6-2.

Between their six goals, 14 skaters recorded points including multi-point games for Pineault, Kontiola and Dowell. Corey Crawford finished with 35 saves in net for the IceHogs, compared to 21 stops for LeNeveu.

The Hogs stopped all four of Iowa's power play, while notching a goal in four chances on the man advantage.

SHAKY SECOND PERIOD DOES ROCKFORD IN

SHAKY SECOND PERIOD DOES ROCKFORD IN

Photo by Greg Hamil
01/20/2009 11:49 AM -
Rockford drops a 4-3 road test in Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa.- The second period has not been kind to the Rockford IceHogs in 2008-09 and on Tuesday a lackluster second frame derailed the IceHogs 4-3 against the Iowa Chops at the Wells Fargo Arena.

Rockford tallied the only goal in the first period. Rookie winger Mike Radja followed his own rebound and cashed in on his ninth goal of the season past David LeNeveu at 12:11 of the opening frame. Fellow rookies Nathan Davis and Brennan Turner helped on the goal. The assist marked the first career AHL point for Turner.

The second period belonged to Iowa as they potted four goals past Antti Niemi. T.J. Trevelyan tied the game at 1-1 1:03 into the period with a power-play goal. Trevelyan slipped his 12th goal of the season under Niemi.

Trevelyan later came back with his second marker of the frame firing his 13th goal of the season over Niemi’s shoulder off of an IceHogs turnover at 8:27.

The IceHogs responded, however, when Davis redirected a Danny Groulx slapshot past LeNeveu for his fifth goal of the season at 8:54, tying the score at 2-2. Adam Hobson also assisted on the goal.

Iowa reclaimed the lead, and added to it, late in the second frame. Ryan Dingle put the Chops back on top when he jammed a loose puck past Niemi at 18:00 of the period for his fifth goal of the campaign. Then just 55 seconds later Charlie Kronschnabel tallied his first career AHL goal to give Iowa a 4-2 lead after the second period.

Pascal Pelletier pulled Rockford back within one in the third period when he sniped his team-leading 21st goal of the season past LeNeveu set up by Groulx and Adam Pineault at 7:25.

Rockford controlled the third period from there but couldn’t solve LeNeveu the rest of the way including on a power play for the game’s final 1:43. The Chops puck stopper finished the game with 35 saves to earn the win.

Niemi was saddled with his fifth straight road loss after blocking 17 of 21 shots in two periods of work. Corey Crawford blocked all seven third period shots faced in relief.

Rockford finished the contest 0-6 on the power play while Iowa went 1-5.

ROCKFORD SNEAKS AWAY WITH 2-1 OVERTIME WIN

ROCKFORD SNEAKS AWAY WITH 2-1 OVERTIME WIN

The IceHogs ended their losing streak at three with an overtime win over Grand Rapids on Monday at the Rockford MetroCentre. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
01/19/2009 3:01 PM -
IceHogs improved to 2-2-0-0 on Mondays in the AHL era


Rockford, Ill.- After dropping three straight in week 15, the Rockford IceHogs started this week with a Monday matinee overtime win over the Grand Rapids Griffins at the Rockford MetroCentre.

The IceHogs came away with a 2-1 overtime win after trailing the Griffins in the middle of the second period.

With the score tied at one, defenseman Andrew Archer put away the game-winner at 1:44 in the extra frame on a breakaway. Archer took a pass from Tim Hambly, who worked as the hinge on a criss-cross play that started with Petri Kontiola at the blue line.

"I thought our team was more patient and poised with the puck today," said coach Bill Peters. "And that's something that is going to be important in the second half. Our work ethic is established now we just have to make plays."

After a period of scoreless hockey, the Griffins jumped ahead of the IceHogs with a shorthanded breakaway goal by Darren Haydar. The puck was picked up in the neutral zone by Haydar and flung in past Hogs' puckstopper Antti Niemi at 2:35 in the second frame.

IceHogs retaliated by taking advantage of their next power play when Kontiola put one through from the corner at 8:29 in the second period. Evan Brophey and Pascal Pelletier were credited with the assists.

"I thought we had a good effort," Peters said. "Our first 40 minutes were very good. Any time you can hold them down to 13 shots in the first 40 minutes, you're doing something right."

The IceHogs went 1-for-4 on the advantage in the game while shutting out the Griffin's strong special teams on four chances. The AHL's second best power play squad could not find the net on the advantage in five opportunities over the weekend.

"It's nice to get one on the power play, we've hit a dry spell recently," Peters said. "But more importantly our penalty kill was 4-for-4. I thought our penalty kill was excellent today."

The Griffins' goaltender Daniel Larsson turned away 32 shots in the loss. Niemi stopped 21 for Rockford in his first win (10-10-2) since Dec. 31 against Quad City.

The IceHogs end a three-game slide and beat the Griffins for the first time in three attempts (1-1-0-1) in 2008-09.

HOGS CAN'T COMPLETE THE COMEBACK, FALL 3-2

HOGS CAN'T COMPLETE THE COMEBACK, FALL 3-2

The Rockford IceHogs fell to the Grand Rapids Griffins 3-2 in front of 5,399 at the Rockford MetroCentre on Saturday. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
01/17/2009 7:47 PM -
The IceHogs fall in the first of two straight against the Griffins

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs have found themselves down 3-2 late in the third period three times in the last three games, and in none of them could the IceHogs find the evening goal.

On Saturday, the Grand Rapids Griffins handed the Hogs their third straight loss by a final score of 3-2 in front of 5,399 at the Rockford MetroCentre.

The Griffins took an early lead thanks to Jamie Tardif, who beat Corey Crawford five-hole at 1:41 in the first period on a breakaway. The breakaway was set up by Ville Leino.

Then Ryan Oulahen doubled the score with a tip-in at 6:18 off of a Jonathan Ericsson shot from the point.

"We had some great chances and they had some great chances," said defenseman Tim Hambly. "But it all comes down to the fact that we just can't put ourselves in a hole like that early."

Rockford's Pete MacArthur cut the lead in half at 17:00 in the first. Petri Kontiola earned the helper. It was the rookie's fifth goal of the season, the second highest among first-year skaters.

In the second period, Darren Haydar gave the Griffins a two-goal cushion again at 19:15 with assists from Oulahen and Aaron Gagnon. Haydar picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone after his penalty expired after beat Crawford on a 3-on-1 breakaway.

"They're a good team," said Hambly. "They have tons of offensive firepower, but we knew that coming into the last game. Tonight we did the same thing (as last week's 6-5 shootout loss). We'll make adjustments on Monday and try to score the first one at least."

The IceHogs and Griffins play the second of back-to-back games on Monday at 2:05 p.m. at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Rockford picked up the pace after a goal from Hambly at 5:23 in the third to get the IceHogs within one, but they couldn't complete the comeback.

Crawford had 16 saves in the losing effort, while Jimmy Howard backstopped the Griffins with 24 saves. Both teams were 0-for-1 on the power play in the lowest penalized game of the season for the IceHogs.

WOLVES BEAT HOGS 3-2 IN FINAL METROCENTRE MEETING

WOLVES BEAT HOGS 3-2 IN FINAL METROCENTRE MEETING

The IceHogs fell to the Wolves 3-2 for the first time at the MetroCentre in 2008-09 on Friday. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
01/16/2009 7:00 PM -
Hogs are 4-1-0-0 against Wolves at home in 2008-09

Rockford, Ill.- The Chicago Wolves held off the Rockford IceHogs 3-2 in the final meeting of the regular season at the Rockford MetroCentre on Friday.

In the first period, winger Pascal Pelletier gave the IceHogs the lead off of a smart feed from Niklas Hjalmarsson at 17:13 in the first period. Pelletier now has 10 points (6g-4a) in his last six games.

Then Chicago’s Joe Motzko tied the score a 1-1 in the second period when he blasted the puck past Antti Niemi at 9:05 for his ninth goal this season against Rockford. Assists came from Jeff Hamilton and Grant Stevenson.

With the score tied, the Wolves took a two-goal advantage thanks to two power-play goals on two quick penalties to end the second frame.

"Our transition game dried up on us," said coach Bill Peters. "I thought we quit making plays as the game went along and we had a hard time moving the puck. We left the puck on the wall a lot and didn't make our plays."

Newcomer defenseman Brett Skinner gave the Wolves the lead at 19:54 in the second period on a 5-on-3 with assists from Hamilton and Motzko.

"They found seams against us tonight," said Peters. "I give them credit on that 5-on-3. It was a saucer pass back door on a nice seam and then finished it with a shot right under the bar."

On the other side of the intermission, Hamilton took his turn on a one-man advantage at 1:01 in the third. Clay Wilson and Motzko helped.

Jimmy Sharrow closed the gap to 3-2 at 17:23 with helpers from Dan Bertram and Rob Klinkhammer, but the Hogs couldn't complete the comeback.

The Wolves have scored 11 of their 29 power-play goals against the IceHogs this season including two on five opportunities on Friday. The IceHogs didn't convert on three chances.

Niemi had 30 saves in his first start since Jan. 7 against Grand Rapids. Robert Gherson had 25 saves in the win.

HOGS LATE PUSH FALLS SHORT, ROCKFORD FALLS 4-2

HOGS LATE PUSH FALLS SHORT, ROCKFORD FALLS 4-2

The Rampage beat the IceHogs in regulation for the first time in eight attempts. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
01/13/2009 7:33 PM -
IceHogs unbeaten streak ends at six in first ever loss to San Antonio (5-1-0-2)

Rockford, Ill.- The combination of wingers Jack Skille and Pascal Pelletier is quickly becoming one of the most lethal in the American Hockey League, but the Rockford IceHogs couldn't pull off a win against the San Antonio Rampage on Tuesday at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Skille scored first for Rockford at 15:23 in the second frame. Pascal Pelletier was credited with an assist. Then at 8:08 in the third period, Skille found Pelletier to make the score 3-2 on a long 5-on-3 for the IceHogs. Danny Groulx was credited with the assist.

"We have to show up for the full 60 minutes, not just the last half like we did tonight," Skille said. "In the first period and first half of the second period, we were just kind of slow and then they scored a goal and it was somewhat of a wake-up call."

But that was all the offense the IceHogs could muster after San Antonio took a 3-0 lead to start the game. The Rampage took advantage of their first two power plays to take an early lead. In the first, Joel Perrault picked the corner of the goal on a power play at 3:28 in the first period. Dylan Reese and David Spina were credited with the assists.

"Tonight was an opportunity to get two points and we let it slip through our hands," Skille said. "They're obviously a better team than the last time and they took it to us. Kudos to them."

In the second frame, Spina pushed the puck under Corey Crawford just 18 seconds into the power play and 37 seconds into the period to take a 2-0 lead. Perrault and Chad Kolarik had the helpers.

Then Alex Bourret added an insurance marker at 12:45 in the second with help from Derek Nesbitt and Reese.

Perrault added an empty-net goal with 11 seconds left in the game.

Crawford took a rare regulation loss with 25 saves, while Josh Tordjman had 20 saves to bring his record to 14-14-1 after starting the season 1-10-1. Rockford's power play converted on one of five opportunities, while San Antonio was 2-for-2 on the man advantage.

CRAWFORD HAS ICEHOGS ROLLING AT MID-WAY POINT

CRAWFORD HAS ICEHOGS ROLLING AT MID-WAY POINT
01/12/2009 2:33 PM

IceHogs goalie Corey Crawford makes one of his 24 saves on Saturday against Toronto. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
01/12/2009 2:33 PM -
Rockford skates six game point streak into Week 15

Week 14 Recap
One bad period didn’t damper Week 14 for the Rockford IceHogs. After giving up five goals in the first period on Wednesday in Grand Rapids, Rockford allowed just one goal in the following seven periods and an overtime while gaining five out of a possible six standings points. The IceHogs hit the halfway mark of the 2008-09 regular season this week and currently sit in second place in the AHL’s West Division.

Week 14 Results
Wednesday, Jan. 7: Rockford 5 at Grand Rapids 6 SO
Friday, Jan. 9: Chicago 1 vs. Rockford 3
Saturday, Jan. 10: Toronto 0 vs. Rockford 1

Week 15 Schedule
Tuesday, Jan. 12 vs. San Antonio, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 16 vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 17 vs. Grand Rapids, 7:05 p.m.

Bacon Bits:
The IceHogs have earned a point in six straight games (5-0-0-1) dating back to 12/31/08, matching a season high

Corey Crawford has appeared in a season-high five straight games

Crawford picked up his 100th career AHL win on Friday

Winger Rob Klinkhammer set an IceHogs AHL record after notching a goal in five straight games from 12/31/08-1/9/09 accumulating six goals overall

Rockford held Toronto without a power-play goal on Saturday (0-4) halting a nine-game stretch in which the opposition tallied on the man advantage

Defenseman Danny Groulx and winger Jack Skille have recorded a plus/minus rating of +9 over their last six games

Skille finished the week with a four-game point streak (3g-4a), his third of such length this season

Rockford’s 1-0 shutout on Saturday against Toronto marked the first time in the Hogs AHL era in which they beat an opponent by that score

The AHL IceHogs were 0-19-0-2 all time when scoring one goal before that game

It was the seventh shut out since the team joined the AHL and fourth for Crawford in his IceHogs career

The last IceHogs 1-0 win was Feb. 8, 2006 at Motor City (UHL)

The 1-0 win marked the sixth time in Rockford’s 10 seasons in which they won 1-0

Rockford is seven games over .500 (21-14-0-4) for the first time this season

The IceHogs will hit the midway point of the 2008-09 regular season after Tuesday’s game against San Antonio

Rockford’s goalie combo of Crawford and Antti Niemi have allowed two or less goals in 19 of Rockford’s first 39 games this season

The IceHogs are 19-4-0-1 when scoring the game’s first goal this season

Rockford allowed a season-high five goals in the first period on Wednesday against Grand Rapids

The Hogs defense given up two goals in 168:42 minutes since then

After two wins at home over the weekend, the Hogs are 14-5-0-2 (.714) inside the MetroCentre in 2008-09



Photo by Greg Hamil
Hot Hog Week 14:
Corey Crawford helped backstop the IceHogs to a 2-0-0-1 week during Week 14 of the 2008-09 AHL regular season. Crawford began the week by helping the Hogs comeback against Grand Rapids on the road on Wednesday. Down 4-2 when he entered the game, Crawford kept Rockford in the contest after turning away 37 of 38 Griffins shots in a shootout loss. On Friday, Crawford blocked 34 of 35 Chicago Wolves shots to earn his 100th career AHL win and then followed that up with a 24 save shutout, his first blanking of the season, over the Toronto Marlies on Saturday.

Upcoming Games:
Tuesday, Jan. 13 vs. San Antonio Rampage. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m. The Rampage come to town in a game rescheduled from Feb. 21. All fans can at the game can register to win a pair of Toby Keith concert tickets or Blackhawks tickets to an upcoming game.

Friday, Jan. 16 vs. Chicago Wolves. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. For the final time this season, the Wolves come to Rockford. The first 1,000 fans 21-and older to the game on Friday will pick up an IceHogs Jersey Koozie presented by Bud Light and the Eagle 96.7 FM.

Saturday, Jan. 17 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins. The game begins at 7:05 p.m. Rockford welcomes the Griffins to the MetroCentre for the first of two straight meetings in Rockford. The first 2,000 fans to the game on Saturday will get an IceHogs Fleece Blanket courtesy of Lonnie’s Carpet Max.

The IceHogs Broadcasting Network:
Rockford IceHogs fans can catch all of the IceHogs regular and post-season games on the Hogs flagship radio station Rockford’s Voice, WNTA-AM 1330 and 30 regular season games on ESPN Radio 1380-AM, WTJK. Fans can also watch and listen to the Hogs on the World Wide Web with AHL Live! Visit the IceHogs Web site (icehogs.com) and click on the “click here to watch the AHL Live” icon, and for just $6, you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Comcast Cable television can tune in to Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action this season. The broadcast begins with the Pregame Show 30 minutes before the puck drops. Make sure to give your opinion during the Comcast Post-Game Call-In Show following each game at (815) 874-8255.

Hog Talk Returns Tonight At Cousin’s Bar and Grill:
Bud Light Hog Talk returns tonight at Cousin’s Bar and Grill. Join Jim Stone from 6-7 p.m. at Cousin’s as he chats IceHogs hockey with Hogs Head Coach Bill Peters. Tonight’s show will also feature new winger Adam Pineault and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson. Stop out to Cousin’s, located on the corner of East State St. and Perryville in Rockford, and take advantage of some great food and Bud Light specials. If you can’t make it out to Cousin’s, tune into 1330 AM, WNTA.

Where to Watch the IceHogs:
IceHogs fans can now catch every IceHogs regular season game live on TV! Every IceHogs home game during the 2008-09 season can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel-57. When the IceHogs are on the road log onto the IceHogs official team Web site, www.icehogs.com, and watch the IceHogs through AHL Live for just $6. Fans can also stop out to the Sports Page, located on Broadway near Alpine Road in Rockford, and watch the IceHogs when the team is on the road.

CRAWFORD, ICEHOGS HOLD OFF TORONTO 1-0

CRAWFORD, ICEHOGS HOLD OFF TORONTO 1-0

The Rockford IceHogs earned their second shut out of the year with a 1-0 win over Toronto at the Rockford MetroCentre on Saturday. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
01/10/2009 12:15 PM -
Rockford extends point streak (5-0-0-1) to six straight games

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs end the week with five out of six points on the heels of a 1-0 win over the Toronto Marlies at the Rockford MetroCentre. The first period goal by IceHogs winger Evan Brophey was enough for Rockford to escape with their second win in two days.

"I'm very pleased with how we've played in the last seven or eight games," said Rockford coach Bill Peters. "We had a little bit of a hiccup in Grand Rapids and recovered from it. Since then we've been quite good."

Since allowing five goals in the first period on Wednesday, the IceHogs have given up just one goal to Chicago and Toronto.

"We're taking care of the details and we have a group of forwards that are very committed defensively away from the puck," Peters said. "That's made all the difference in the world."

After earning a hard-fought 3-1 win against the Chicago Wolves a night before, the IceHogs hung on to another slim lead on Saturday. Corey Crawford put together a strong performance in his first shut out of the 2008-09 season. The netminder has allowed just three goals in his last 160:00 minutes of ice time. On Saturday, Crawford had 24 saves.

"We talked to both goalies and we want to go with the situation where if a guy gets hot we're going to ride him," Peters said. "And were in the middle of doing that with Corey right now."

On the other side of the ice, Justin Pogge put together a strong performance in the third game of Toronto's nine-game road swing. The puckstopper had 21 saves.

Brophey was the only one to solve Pogge. The center jumped on a breakaway with Pascal Pelletier and finished off a rebound by Pelletier's shot at 5:20 in the first period.

"(Brophey)'s a good player," said Peters. "I didn't see him last year, but the people in the organization tell me he's taken a big step. He's got what the game is all about. He's got great speed and he's a powerful player."

Jack Skille was also credited with an assist. The helper gives Skille seven points (3g-4a) in his last four games. Toronto went 0-for-4 on the power play and held Rockford to 0-for-6 on the man advantage.

Next Home Game: Tuesday, Jan. 13 vs. San Antonio Rampage. The game begins at 7:05 p.m. In a game rescheduled from Feb. 21, the IceHogs and Rampage mix it up at the MetroCentre for a second time this season. All fans in attendance can register to win a pair of Toby Keith concert tickets or a set of Blackhawks tickets that will be given away at the game.

ICEHOGS SURVIVE WITH 3-1 WIN OVER WOLVES

ICEHOGS SURVIVE WITH 3-1 WIN OVER WOLVES
01/09/2009 1:56 PM

Winger Rob Klinkhammer scored his sixth goal in five games to give the IceHogs an early lead. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
01/09/2009 1:56 PM - IceHogs are 4-0-0-0 against Wolves at home in 2008-09

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs edged out the Chicago Wolves 3-1 at the Rockford MetroCentre behind a another sterling performance from goalie Corey Crawford.

"It's always fun to win against the Wolves," said defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson. "It's a big rivalry and especially now with the standings so tight, it was a very big game for us."

The win on Friday extends Rockford's streak to 4-0-0-0-1 in the last five games. The Hogs have also won the last four meetings against Chicago to improve to 6-2-0-0 on the season against the Wolves.

"It's always good to win a couple of games in a row," Hjalmarsson said. "It gives you a lot of confidence. We just need to keep playing like this."

The Hogs made the first splash of the night when Rob Klinkhammer banked in a breakaway goal at 55 seconds into the first period. Klinkhammer notched his sixth goal and seventh point in the last five games with the marker.

The winger took a pass from Jake Dowell and drove it past Robert Gherson, giving him the record for most consecutive games with a goal as an AHL IceHogs skater with five. The mark also ties the franchise record set by UHL IceHogs forward Kevin Kerr in 2003 and matched six times.

In the second stanza, Jimmy Sharrow found the back of the net off of a Jack Skille feed at 1:09 in the period. The goal gave Sharrow his third of the 2008-09 campaign. Evan Brophey was also credited with the assist.

"Those were two big goals," Hjalmarsson said. "I think we played all three periods."

In the third period, Spencer Machacek cut the lead in half with a power-play goal at 5:23 with assists from Joe Motzko and Brett Sterling. Machacek slapped in a loose puck in front of Crawford, who turned away 34 shots. Gherson ended the night with 33 saves for Chicago.

The power play goal was the only of four power play opportunities of which the Wolves would take advantage. The IceHogs would finish 0-for-3 on the man advantage situations.

Skille added an empty-net goal with a helper from Danny Groulx at 19:50 in the third.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 10 vs. Toronto Marlies. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Rockford welcomes the Marlies to the MetroCentre for the only time in 2008-09. The first 2,000 fans to the game on Saturday will receive an IceHogs baseball hat courtesy of Frito Lay, Pepsi, WXRX and WIFR. It's also a Skate with the Hogs, so bring your ice skates to get on the ice after the game.

HOGS BATTLE BACK IN GRAND RAPIDS, FALL IN SHOOTOUT

HOGS BATTLE BACK IN GRAND RAPIDS, FALL IN SHOOTOUT

Photo by Jim Orlando
01/07/2009 1:16 PM -
Rockford erases three-goal deficit after shaky start

Grand Rapids, Mich.- It’s not very often that a team overcomes a five-goal first period. On Wednesday night the Rockford IceHogs nearly did just that. After giving up five first period goals and trailing 5-2 after 20 minutes, the IceHogs fought back and forced a shootout in which they would eventually lose 6-5 to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

In a game where 11 overall goals were scored, it’s hard to believe that a goaltender stood out. Rockford goalie Corey Crawford relieved Antti Niemi after the Hogs trailed 4-2 and played brilliantly, stopping 37 of 38 Grand Rapids shots he faced to help lead Rockford back from a three goal hole after the first period.

Down by a goal late in the third, the IceHogs pulled Crawford in favor of the extra attacker. After Petri Kontiola won the face-off deep in the Griffins zone, Pascal Pelletier sent a centering feed in front of the Grand Rapids goal and rookie winger Peter

MacArthur tipped his fourth goal of the season past Daniel Larsson tying the game with just 1:20 left in regulation. After a scoreless overtime, the Griffins outscored the IceHogs 3-2 in six rounds of shootout hockey. Kontiola and Rob Klinkhammer tallied for Rockford in the extra session while Evan McGrath and Ville Leino twice, including the game winner, scored for the Griffins.

Any thought of a goaltending battle in Grand Rapids on Wednesday night was quickly thrown out the window. The IceHogs and Griffins combined to score seven goals in the first period and unfortunately for Rockford, five of them were potted by Grand Rapids.

The Griffins began the barrage just 1:32 into the game when winger Justin Abdelkader knocked a Leino pass past Anti Niemi for his 11th goal of the season. Then at 2:39 Francis Pare made it 2-0 when he completed a two-on-one breakaway with Francis Lemieux for his 11th marker as well.

Rockford stormed back with a couple of quick strike goals, tying the game at two. Winger Jack Skille picked up a Griffins turnover at 6:56 and rifled his 13th goal of the season past Daniel Larsson to cut the deficit in half.

Pelletier, coming off his second hat trick of the season on Saturday, tied the game at 8:47 when he fired his team-leading 18th goal of the campaign in off of helpers from Danny Groulx and Andrew Archer.

The tied game was short lived as just eight seconds later Aaron Gagnon put Grand Rapids right back on top. Off the ensuing face-off following Rockford’s goal, Gagnon picked up a Darren Haydar pass and fired it under Niemi’s arm for his fourth goal.

Just over a minute later Logan Pyett extended the Griffins lead back to two when his blast from the point found the top corner over Niemi at 10:11, chasing the IceHogs goaltender from the game.

A power-play goal from Leino pushed the Griffins to 5-2 heading into the first intermission as he picked a corner over Corey Crawford for his ninth lamp lighter of the season.

Klinkhammer made it a 5-3 game early in the second period. The Hogs winger picked off an errant Griffins pass in front of Larsson and beat him for his ninth goal of the season at 1:16. The goal extended Klinkhammer’s goal scoring streak to four straight games, matching an IceHogs team season high.

Jake Dowell made the overtime possible with his first goal of the season while the IceHogs skated shorthanded. Dowell stripped a puck in the Rockford zone and deeked out Larsson at 7:08 of the third making it 5-4. The goal was Rockford’s third unassisted goal of the game.

The Hogs were outshot overall 46-41 in the contest and Larsson got the shootout win after making 36 saves.