HOGS PICK UP BIG WIN, 2-1 OVER HOUSTON AT HOME

HOGS PICK UP BIG WIN, 2-1 OVER HOUSTON AT HOME

The IceHogs are 3-1-0-0 in their last four home games after a 2-1 win over the Houston Aeros on Sunday at the Rockford MetroCentre. (Photo by Kris Grey)
03/29/2009 11:35 AM -
Rockford gains two points on second-place Houston and Peoria
Rockford, Ill.- In tight races, the playoff picture can become clearer or more blurry with every tick of the clock.

On Sunday at the Rockford MetroCentre it did a little of both. The Rockford IceHogs picked up two points on their second-place rivals, the Houston Aeros and put a little distance between them and the fifth-place Chicago Wolves with a 2-1 win.

"We all see how close things are in the standings, and we all know how every game counts at this point," said winger Rob Klinkhammer. "We're just going to bring it all every night."

Forwards Pascal Pelletier and Adam Hobson scored early in the second frame to give the Hogs a big 2-0 lead.

After a scoreless first frame, Pelletier gave the IceHogs the lead at 1:28 in the second, beating Nolan Schaefer with helpers from Rob Klinkhammer and Logan Stephenson.

"I get Pelletier the puck and he just get's it in there on the short side," said Klinkhammer. "It was just pretty to watch."

Then Hobson sent a blast from the corner of the offensive zone past Schaefer with helpers from Pelletier and Danny Groulx at 6:55.
"Hobson just get's a great slap shot off and it takes a bounce and lands in their net. Sometimes that's going to happen. Sometimes the bounces go for us, sometimes they go against us tonight they were in our favor."

The Aeros got a bit of the momentum back with a goal from Morten Madsen at 17:35 in the third period, but the Hogs held off the Aeros for the rest of the final frame for the win.

Antti Niemi, whose pads arrived from San Antonio just 45 minutes before the start of the game, earned his fourth win in five starts (4-0-0-0) on 29 saves. Nolan Schaefer had 22 saves.

The Hogs power play squad was scoreless in one opportunity, while the Aeros were 0-for-5.

Next Home Game: Saturday, April 4 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Annual Jersey Auction game is finally here as the IceHogs jump into “The Dark Hammy” jerseys to benefit the IceHogs Charitable Foundation. The first 2,000 fans will pick up a commemorative t-shirt courtesy of Saturn, Pepsi, 13 WREX and MedicineMan. Also, don’t miss the Stanley Cup as hockey’s most coveted trophy makes its first visit to the Rockford MetroCentre.

Stanley Cup Fact: The current Stanley Cup has 2,200 different names engraved on it (none more than Jean Beliveau, whose name appears 17 times on the cup – 10 as a player and seven as an executive for the Montreal Canadians). See the Stanley Cup at the Rockford MetroCentre on April 4. For tickets call 815-968-5222 or visit metrocentre.com.

NO COMEBACK THIS TIME, HOGS FALL TO RAMPAGE

NO COMEBACK THIS TIME, HOGS FALL TO RAMPAGE

03/28/2009 12:45 PM -
IceHogs drop 3-2 contest in San Antonio

San Antonio, Tex.- After a long day of travel it was suppose to be the San Antonio Rampage who looked tired on Saturday night. That wasn’t the case as the Rockford IceHogs labored through the first two periods and eventually dropped a 3-2 decision at the AT&T Center.

Despite traveling from Syracuse on Saturday morning, the Rampage jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. Defenseman David Schlemko blasted his sixth goal of the season over the blocker of Corey Crawford at 2:16 of the opening period unassisted.

Then moments after a power play expired, rookie winger Kevin Porter blasted his 12th goal of the campaign through traffic and past Crawford at 10:48. The goal was assisted by Joel Perrault and David Spina.

Rockford cut the deficit in half with a power-play goal at 11:44. Tim Brent poked a puck to Danny Groulx at the blueline at the Hogs d-man cranked in his sixth marker of the campaign, beating Karl Goehring. Pete MacArthur also chipped in an assist.

Joel Perrault gave the Rampage their two-goal cushion back in the second period when he led and finished a three-on-two rush by shelving his 14th goal of the season over the should of Crawford at 12:37 making it 3-1 after two periods. Steven Goertzen and Spina helped on the goal.

In the third period Rockford used the power play again to reduce the deficit to one goal. Tyler Mosienko on the doorstep swiped in his fourth goal of the season off of a Jack Skille pass at 11:44. Rob Klinkhammer also marked an assist on the goal.

That’s all that Rockford could muster on Goehring as the IceHogs dropped their first ever game in regulation at the AT&T Center. Rockford is now 4-1-0-1 in six all-time games in San Antonio.

Goehring got the win after making 22 saves while Crawford got the loss turning away 25 San Antonio shots. The Hogs went 2-7 on the power play while holding the Rampage to 0-8.

Next Home Game: Sunday, March 29 vs. Houston Aeros. Game time is 5:05 p.m. A quick turnaround for the IceHogs finds them back on home ice on Sunday for the final regular season contest against the Aeros. Sunday is this season’s final Sunday Fundae. Fans can also help celebrate Hammy’s Birthday with other local mascots and the first 2,000 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs 10th Anniversary Canvas courtesy of Stanley Steemer and Rasmussen College.

13 ROUND SHOOTOUT ENDS IN ROCKFORD’S FAVOR

13 ROUND SHOOTOUT ENDS IN ROCKFORD’S FAVOR
Photo by Jason Villaneuva

Skille’s late goal in regulation helps the Hogs earn two points

Houston, Tex.- The power play has not been kind to the Rockford IceHogs since late November, but for the second time in a week it helped gain Rockford two points. After the power play tied the game late in regulation, Rockford and Antti Niemi outlasted the Houston Aeros in a 13-round shootout for a 3-2 win at the Toyota Center.

With the game tied late in the third period, the IceHogs skater on their sixth power play. Winger Jack Skille picked up a Tim Hambly feed and blasted it past Anton Khudobin, tying the 2-2 at 17:46 for his 20th goal of the season.

Both teams had power-play chances in the overtime but failed to convert. So the IceHogs and Aeros skated to a shootout.

Neither team tallied in the first four rounds of the shootout but Evan Brophey and Benoit Pouliot did in the fifth frame. In the sudden death shootout Tim Brent and Krys Kolanos converted in the 11th round before Pete MacArthur gave Rockford the edge with a shootout goal in round 13.

Niemi then stymied Corey Locke to give Rockford the two points and end the longest shootout in the IceHogs AHL era.

Rockford led 1-0 leading into the third period but the Aeros tallied twice early to take the lead. Paul Albers snuck his fourth goal of the season, and second against Rockford, through traffic and past Niemi at 1:01 of the final frame tying the game at 1-1.

Later in the period Robbie Earl stepped into a passing lane and picked off a pass and ripped his fifth goal of the campaign in at 3:35 unassisted.

Rob Klinkhammer put Rockford on top with a goal on a delayed penalty in the first period. Klinkhammer’s initial shot attempt went wide of the Houston goal and the winger picked up the rebound off of the back half wall and backhanded his 14 goal of the season past Khudobin at 9:40. Tim Hambly and Bryan Bickell assisted the goal.

Both teams were held scoreless in the second period, but it wasn’t for a lack of opportunities. Both Niemi and Khudobin, however, were up to the task and held their ground.

Niemi made 24 saves to earn the win, plus 11 more in the shootout while Khudobin was the tough luck loser after blocking 33 Rockford shots.

Next Home Game: Sunday, March 29 vs. Houston Aeros. Game time is 5:05 p.m. A quick turnaround for the IceHogs finds them back on home ice on Sunday for the final regular season contest against the Aeros. Sunday is this season’s final Sunday Fundae. Fans can also help celebrate Hammy’s Birthday with other local mascots and the first 2,000 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs 10th Anniversary Canvas courtesy of Stanley Steemer and Rasmussen College.

HOGS THIRD PERIOD COMEBACK FALLS SHORT

HOGS THIRD PERIOD COMEBACK FALLS SHORT

Jack Skille started the Rockford rally, but the IceHogs could not complete the comeback with a loss to Iowa at the Rockford MetroCentre. (photo by Greg Hamil)
03/25/2009 7:28 PM -
Hogs fall to 4-6-0-0 against Iowa in final meeting

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs found themselves down three times against the Iowa Chops on Wednesday at the Rockford MetroCentre. But their third comeback fell short, as the Chops beat Rockford 5-4.

The IceHogs were in the same place they were on Friday in Des Moines, down by two goals going into the first intermission. But the Hogs rallied back to even the score only to find themselves down 5-3 going into the third frame.

"Against Iowa, we just haven't been on our game for some reason," defenseman Danny Groulx said. "A couple of breakdowns and they get their chances and they score. Then it's too late to come back."

Iowa took the initial lead with a goal from Matt Beleskey at 5:50 in the first period. Assists went to Petri Kontiola and T.J. Trevelyan.

Beleskey picked up a loose puck off of a rebound and worked it around Antti Niemi in front of the net to give Iowa the advantage.

No Rockford skater bas been hotter than Pete MacArthur in the last couple of games. The winger put in his fifth goal in six games to tie the game at one. But then the Chops took the lead again on the next shift.

MacArthur's goal came from a feed by Tim Brent in front of the net to make it a 1-1 game at 9:27 in the first. Evan Brophey also was credited with a helper.

John de Grey solved Niemi just 28 seconds later to get Iowa's lead back. Petteri Wirtanen set him up off of a face-off win by Ajay Baines.

"We have to be more steady and play like we did against Manitoba and Milwaukee," Groulx said. "We have to play with a little bit more grit and be a little more desperate."

And Eric Boguniecki picked up a rebound and pounded it into the open net at 12:26 to give Iowa some insurance. Brennan Evans and Brian Salcido had the helpers.

In the second, Corey Crawford replaced Niemi only to find the IceHogs rally to tie the games at three. Jack Skille solved David LeNeveu 1:35 into the frame with helpers from Brophey and Bryan Bickell.

Pascal Pelletier shelved his 28th goal of the season under the crossbar just 1:26 later with helpers from Adam Hobson and Tim Hambly.

Then with Hobson in the penalty box on a hooking call, Boguniecki tipped in his second goal of the game at 7:02 with helpers from Belesky and Adrian Veideman to give Iowa the lead again.

Later in the second period Ryan Dingle worked around two defenders and put a pretty goal past Crawford at 18:32 to give the Chops the 5-3 lead. Baines assisted on the goal.

With just four seconds left in the game, Adam Pineault cut the lead in half with helpers from Jimmy Sharrow and MacArthur, but the Hogs couldn't even the score off of the following face off.

"When that goal came, I thought we had more time," Groulx said. "But it's hard to generate anything with just three second left."

Niemi finished with 11 saves in 20:00 of ice time, while Crawford took the loss with 18 saves in 38:21. LeNeveu had 26 saves in the win.

On the power play, the IceHogs were unsuccessful in one attempt, and Iowa was 1-for-1.

Next Home Game: Sunday, March 29 vs. Houston Aeros. Game time is 5:05 p.m. A quick turnaround for the IceHogs finds them back on home ice on Sunday for the final regular season contest against the Aeros. Sunday is this season’s final Sunday Fundae. Fans can also help celebrate Hammy’s Birthday with other local mascots and the first 2,000 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs 10th Anniversary Canvas courtesy of Stanley Steemer and Rasmussen College.

ROCKFORD SLIPS PAST MILWAUKEE 2-1 WITH LATE RUSH

ROCKFORD SLIPS PAST MILWAUKEE 2-1 WITH LATE RUSH

Jack Skille was the first IceHogs skater to solve Drew MacIntyre on Monday at the Rockford MetroCentre. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
03/23/2009 7:00 PM -
Hogs beat a first-place team for second time in two games

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs haven't exactly played great in the Rockford MetroCentre in the second half of the 2008-09 season, but you couldn't tell that from the team's last two games.

In another tight game on Monday, the IceHogs slipped past the Milwaukee Admirals 2-1 with a late-game push. Jack Skille and Pete MacArthur put in Rockford's only goals against a strong performance from Drew MacIntyre.

For the second straight game, the IceHogs knocked off a division first-place team. The Hogs beat the North Division's Manitoba Moose 3-2 in a shootout at the Big Orange Box on Saturday.

"We knew they were two really good teams," said defenseman Mike Brennan. "So we had to stick to our game plan. Turnovers have been one of the biggest things that can swing a hockey game, so we wanted to limit that. I think defensively we're playing well."

Skille put the IceHogs up by one at 4:35 in the first period with helpers from Pascal Pelletier and Tyler Mosienko.

"We started simplifying things and moving the puck quicker," Brennan said. "I think the thing is that the guys are playing with a lot of confidence and that's big."

But then the Admirals tied it late in the second with a power-play goal from Ryan Maki at 18:00 to make the score 1-1. Assists went to Mike Santorelli and Robert Dietrich.

The IceHogs had an opportunity to go ahead with a 5-on-3 that lasted 1:33, but the league's third-best penalty kill held Rockford off the board. The IceHogs were 0-for-4 on the man advantage. Milwaukee was 1-for-5 on the power play.

"Momentum swings pretty quick," Brennan said. "We've done a really good job of keeping it even keel and sticking to our game plan. That's the mentality we have to have."

But then with the clock ticking down, Pete MacArthur gave the IceHogs the lead at 15:14 in the third with assists from Evan Brophey and Tim Brent.

Drew MacIntyre stopped 21 shots, while Niemi had 23 saves in his second straight win.

ICEHOGS COME BACK, PICK UP WIN IN SHOOTOUT

ICEHOGS COME BACK, PICK UP WIN IN SHOOTOUT

Evan Brophey put in Rockford's first goal as the IceHogs won their third straight against Manitoba on Saturday. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
03/21/2009 12:16 PM -
Hogs find a way to win in front of fifth sell out of the season

Rockford, Ill.- Coach Bill Peters talked this week about making changes to both the offense and defense after starting the month 1-5-0-1.

A sold-out crowd of 5,994 at the Rockford MetroCentre got to see the effects of those changes as the Rockford IceHogs came back late in the third to beat the Manitoba Moose 3-2 in a shootout.

"We're trying a new defensive system and offensive system both," said Rockford winger Pete MacArthur. "Our focus tonight was just to come out and play 20 minutes at a time and try to take over the game."

At 18:06 in the third frame with Rockford down by one, Tyler Mosienko picked up a rebound off of an Adam Hobson shot on a power play with an extra attacker and put it past Curtis Sanford to even up the score. Tim Hambly also had an assist.

Then in the shootout, Jack Skille, Tim Brent and MacArthur solved Sanford, while no Manitoba shooter could put one past Antti Niemi in his return to the MetroCentre ice after his second recall to the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Hogs and Moose played an intense back-and-forth game throughout the night. Rockford put 36 shots on the board, with Sanford stopping 34 of them.

"(Cory) Schneider and Sanford are both really good," said MacArthur. "(Sanford) is so quick laterally and he has kind of an old-school style. We were looking for places to shoot, but he's really quick. But we got what we deserved and that's two points."

On the other side of the ice, Niemi stopped 25 to improve to 14-12-3.

"But Niemi and Crawford are great goalies and we hear all the time that when you have a combination like this in net, it resonates throughout the whole team," MacArthur said. "They have your back when you make a mistake. It's huge."

The Hogs came out strong with 13 shots in the first, but then in the second, Evan Brophey finally solved Sanford at 11:17 when he tipped in a shot by Mike Brennan. MacArthur won the face-off and dropped it over to Brennan to set up the goal.

But then on a long 5-on-3 power play, Jason Krog tapped the puck past a committed Niemi to even the score at 16:57 in the second.

In the third, Nolan Baumgartner gave Manitoba the advantage on a power play at 7:33 when he put in the rebound of a Krog shot. Guillaume Desbiens also was credited with an assist.

Next Home Game: Monday, March 23 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The first-place Milwaukee Admirals cruise into the Forest City for their second-to-last visit of the season. It’s “Brett Favre Retirement Night” as the IceHogs honor the recently retired football standout with $4 tickets in the upper bowl. The best dressed Favre fan will win a trip to Orlando courtesy of Allegiant Air and 10 fans will walk away with a pair of Wrangler jeans and a book honoring Brett Favre.
Stanley Cup Fact: At 110 years old, the Stanley Cup is the oldest trophy competed for in North America. See the Stanley Cup at the Rockford IceHogs game on Saturday, April 4. For tickets call the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office at 815-968-5222.

ROCKFORD CAN’T OVERCOME SLOW START

ROCKFORD CAN’T OVERCOME SLOW START

Photo by Greg Hamil
03/20/2009 1:50 PM -
Three first period Iowa goals hold up in 3-2 defeat

Des Moines, Iowa- The score sheet says a game lasts 60 minutes. It was the first 13:40 on Friday night though that cost the Rockford IceHogs two points as they fell 3-2 to Iowa Chops at the Wells Fargo Arena.

Rockford came staggering out of the starting block as Iowa jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead. Petteri Wirtanen cleaned up an Eric Reagan rebound from underneath Corey Crawford for his 12th goal of the season at 6:28 to start the scoring.

T.J. Trevelyan made it 2-0 at 7:58 when tapped in a Matt Belesky feed for his team-leading 21st goal of the season. Petri Kontiola also assisted on the goal. Francis Wathier later capitalized on a blown IceHogs breakout and knocked in his sixth goal of season past Crawford at 16:50.

Jake Dowell got a goal back for Rockford when he picked up a long feed from Danny Groulx and blasted his fourth goal of the season over the glove shoulder of David LeNeveu at 16:50 making it 3-1 at the first intermission.

After getting outshot 14-4 in the opening frame, the IceHogs would go on to outshoot the Chops 31-7 the rest of the way but could only solve LeNeveu once more.

Winger Rob Klinkhammer beat LeNeveu to a loose puck in the Iowa zone and fired home his 13th of the year. Bryan Bickell and Tim Hambly set it up for Rockford.

The IceHogs finished the contest outshooting the Chops 35-21. The power play plagued Rockford once again as they failed to score on the advantage for the seventh straight game going 0-4 on the night. Rockford did hold Iowa off the board on three man advantages.

Next Home Game: Saturday, March 21 vs. Manitoba Moose. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Rockford IceHogs welcome the first-place Moose into the Forest City for the final of two visits in 2008-09. The first 2,000 fans can pick up a replica Goalie Mask Bank courtesy of MembersAlliance Credit Union.

Stanley Cup Fact: The most famous trophy in the sporting world, the Stanley Cup was donated by Lord Stanley of Preston, Governor General of Canada, in 1892 and first presented in 1893. See the Stanley Cup at the Rockford IceHogs game on Saturday, April 4. For tickets call the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office at 815-968-5222.

SECOND PERIOD COLLAPSE COSTS ROCKFORD

SECOND PERIOD COLLAPSE COSTS ROCKFORD

03/15/2009 1:41 PM -
Three late second period goals drops IceHogs 5-4

Houston, Tex.- When leading after two periods this season, the Rockford IceHogs have been nearly unbeatable. Getting to the second intermission ahead of the Houston Aeros on Sunday was a different story.

With the IceHogs leading 4-2 in the middle frame, the Aeros came storming back scoring three goals is the period’s final four minutes to knock off the IceHogs 5-4 at the Toyota Center.

The IceHogs matched Houston’s early first period goal with an early goal in the second. Evan Brophey fired his 14th goal of the season past Anton Khudobin 18 seconds into the middle frame to put Rockford up 3-1. Tim Brent and Danny Groulx assisted on the goal.

Benoit Pouliot pulled Houston back within one when he snapped his fifth goal of the season over the glove of Corey Crawford at 10:26 making it a 3-2 game. Rockford got the goal back at 12:35 when Pete MacArthur deflected an Evan Brophey feed past Khudobin for his second marker of the night.

Then Houston would rattle off three straight goals to take a 5-4 lead into the second intermission. Locke got things started when he snuck his 22nd goal of the season five hole at 16:02 on the power play. Kolanos later tied the game at 4-4 firing his 24th goal of the season in at 17:41 then gave the Aeros the lead with his second on the night at 19:53.

That’s all Houston would need as Kudobin held the IceHogs off the board on eight third period shots. Rockford was outshot 37-29 in the contest.

The Aeros tallied early in the first to grab a 1-0 lead. Matt Beaudoin deflected a Clayton Stoner slap shop past Crawford just 29 seconds in to the contest for his ninth goal of the season. Corey Locke also chipped in an assist on the goal.

Rockford countered with a pair of goals to chase Nolan Schaefer from the game early. Dan Bertram shot a puck in on Schaefer from the blue line and the Aeros goalie let out a short rebound. Mike Radja followed Bertram’s shot a backhanded his 11th goal of the season in to tie the game at 1-1. Defenseman Joe Charlebois was credited with his first career assist.

Then at 17:46 MacAthur picked up his own rebound and banked his eighth goal of the season in off of Schaefer’s leg from behind the goal line for a 2-1 Rockford advantage. Mike Brennan and Jordan Hendry marked the assists.

Next Home Game: Saturday, March 21 vs. Manitoba Moose. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Rockford IceHogs welcome the first-place Moose into the Forest City for the final of two visits in 2008-09. The first 2,000 fans can pick up a replica Goalie Mask Bank courtesy of MembersAlliance Credit Union.

CRAWFORD WITHSTANDS A RAMPAGE OF SHOTS

CRAWFORD WITHSTANDS A RAMPAGE OF SHOTS

03/13/2009 12:32 PM -
Backstop turns away 43 shots in shutout win

San Antonio, Tex.- There must be something about the AT&T Center that appeals to Corey Crawford. For the second time in two weeks the Rockford IceHogs goalie faced 40-plus shots and helped his team over the San Antonio Rampage.

On Friday night Crawford blocked all 43 rampage attempts while picking up his second shutout of the season in a 3-0 blanking of the San Antonio. On Feb. 28 Crawford made 44 saves in San Antonio in a 3-2 Rockford shootout win.

Crawford and Al Montoya kept the zeros on the scoreboard in the opening period on Friday. Both goalies were tested early, but were up to task. The best chance in the opening frame came with a Mike Radja breakaway that Montoya turned away.

Pete MacArthur would solve Montoya in the second period. The rookie winger picked up a Tim Brent pass on the weak side end flipped his seventh goal of the season in at 5:13. Evan Brophey also helped on the goal.

Rockford got some insurance in the third period with a short handed goal. Winger Adam Hobson nearly shoved a one-handed shot over Montoya, but the puck hit the post. Brent followed the play and punched in his 20th goal of the season at 12:25. The shortie for Brent was his fourth of the season, matching an IceHogs all-time franchise record.

Adam Pineault sealed it for Rockford when he buried an empty-net goal at 18:18, his eighth of the season. Rob Klinkhammer assisted the marker.

Rockford was outshot 43-20 in the game and didn’t receive any power-play opportunities. The Hogs held the Rampage to 0-3 on the advantage.

Next Home Game: Saturday, March 21 vs. Manitoba Moose. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Rockford IceHogs welcome the first-place Moose into the Forest City for the final of two visits in 2008-09. The first 2,000 fans can pick up a replica Goalie Mask Bank courtesy of MembersAlliance Credit Union.

ICEHOGS COME UP SHORT, FALL 3-2 TO MILWAUKEE

ICEHOGS COME UP SHORT, FALL 3-2 TO MILWAUKEE

The Admirals used two power-play goals to propel themselves past the IceHogs on Wednesday. (Photo by Greg Hamil)
03/11/2009 7:00 PM -
The IceHogs are 3-4-0-1 against Milwaukee in 2008-09


Rockford, Ill.-The Rockford IceHogs know they can beat the Milwaukee Admirals on the road, but with two games left at the Rockford MetroCentre against the West's top team in 2008-09, they now need to find a way to win at home.

The Hogs fell to 2-9-0-0 in their last 11 at the Big Orange Box with a 3-2 loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday. They are now 0-2-0-1 against the Ads in the Forest City this campaign.

"I thought we played well," winger Bryan Bickell said. "They got a lucky bounce and they got two power play goals. We just need to keep doing what we're doing and working on our special teams."

Milwaukee's Mark Dekanich shined in net with 46 saves to lead the Admirals, while Crawford finished with 29 saves in the loss.

"We threw everything at him," said Bickell, who has two goals and an assist in two games since returning from injury. "We tried to get the greasy goals and we threw everything at him but the kitchen sink it seemed like. But they had good defense and they got the puck out of the zone."

Down 3-1, the IceHogs made it interesting with a Bickell goal, the forward's second in two games, at 12:10 in the third period. Bickell redirected a Danny Groulx shot. Jack Skille was also credited with an assist.

But the IceHogs couldn't finish the comeback in the final half of the period.

"We just need to go into Texas and take four points now," Bickell said. Rockford leaves for a game against Houston and another against San Antonio this weekend.

In the first period on Wednesday, the Admirals took the lead when Cal O'Reilly picked up a loose puck at 9:30 and put it in the net. The assists went to Patric Hornqvist and Kelsey Wilson.

In his first game with the IceHogs, centerman Tyler Mosienko tied the game at 12:27 in the second with helpers from Jack Skille and Bickell.

"We had a lot of chances," Bickell said. "But I thought we could have had a couple more. I think we adjusted well. It was the first time with Mosienko in the line up and I thought he played well."

Then just 50 second later, O'Reilly gave Milwaukee the lead again on a power play. The assists went to Hornqvist and Mike Santorelli.

The Admirals took a two-goal advantage when Hornqvist put the puck past Crawford on a power play at 4:27 in the third. The goal was assisted by O'Reilly and Cody Franson.

Milwaukee was 2-for-3 on the power play, while Rockford finished 0-for-4.

Next Home Game: Saturday, March 21 vs. Manitoba Moose. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Rockford IceHogs welcome the first-place Moose into the Forest City for the final of two visits in 2008-09. The first 2,000 fans can pick up a replica Goalie Mask Bank courtesy of MembersAlliance Credit Union.

SHOOTOUT TRIPS UP HOGS IN PEORIA AGAIN

SHOOTOUT TRIPS UP HOGS IN PEORIA AGAIN

03/07/2009 12:22 PM -
Rockford earns key point against Rivermen

Peoria, Ill.- Regulation losses are few and far between for the Rockford IceHogs at Carver Arena against the Peoria Rivermen. Shootout losses are a different story.

Rockford fell 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday in Peoria, their third shootout loss at Carver Arena this season. The IceHogs now have an all-time record of 4-1-1-3 in Peoria, but finished a five game set against the Rivermen on the road 1-1-0-3 this season.

After going over 55 minutes without a goal in regulation in the last meeting, Peoria lit the first lamp just 2:40 into the opening frame on Saturday. Ryan Reaves worked himself free in front of Corey Crawford and Curtis Fraser set him up for his seventh goal of the season.

In his first game since New Year’s Eve, IceHogs winger Bryan Bickell would tie things up for Rockford. The winger blasted a Dan Bertram pass past Chris Holt at 19:20. The goal was Bickell’s fifth of the season.

Adam Hobson gave Rockford their first lead of the night when he snuck a Pete MacArthur pass under Holt just 56 seconds into the second period. Jake Dowell also figured in Hobson’s third goal of the season.

Peoria got the goal back, however, on the power play when Jonathan Filewich deflected a Danny Richmond back-handed shot over the shoulder of Crawford at 7:09 for his seventh goal of the season.

Newly acquired defenseman Logan Stephenson later put Rockford on top when he snuck his second goal of the season, first with the IceHogs, past Holt off of a Nathan Davis face-off win at 18:24 of the middle period.

Rockford couldn’t keep the Rivermen off the board in the third as Peoria forced overtime and eventually a shootout. Defenseman Ivan Vishnevski weaved through the IceHogs front five and slipped his fifth goal of the season past Crawford at 12:10.

In the shootout, Peoria converted on their first three shootout shots while Holt held Rockford off the board to help his team earn the extra point.

Peoria outshot Rockford 37-27 in the contest and doubled up Rockford on power play opportunities as the Hogs held them to just 1-6 on the advantage. Rockford went 0-3.

ICEHOGS GO UP IN FLAMES 4-1 AT HOME

ICEHOGS GO UP IN FLAMES 4-1 AT HOME

Photo by Jim Orlando
03/06/2009 10:13 AM -
Hogs fall to 4-3-0-0 against Quad City in 2008-09

Rockford, Ill.- In their final match-up of 2008-09 in the Rockford MetroCentre, the Quad City Flames cruised to a 4-1 win over the Rockford IceHogs on the back of a strong performance from goaltender Leland Irving.

"We had our chances," said Rockford's newest defenseman Logan Stephenson. "But at the same time, we needed to create more. When a goaltender is playing good, there's only one way to beat him and that's to not let him see the puck. We needed to do more of that."

With eight points in seven games, Quad City's Adam Cracknell has been particularly good against the IceHogs. The winger was responsible for the Flames' first goal, a blast from the center of the Flames' zone on a power play at 4:54 in the first in front of 5,119 fans. Assists came from Justin Bowers and Carsen Germyn.

The IceHogs went down 2-0 thanks to Germyn at 5:39 in the second. The assists went to J.D. Watt and Kyle Greentree.

And then Greentree chased Corey Crawford from the game with a marker at 11:26 in the second. The Quad City winger drove with the puck from the neutral zone, worked around several defenders and poked the puck under Crawford.

The netminder finished with 16 saves in 31:26 of ice time. Joe Fallon held the Flames scoreless in seven shots in relief.

The IceHogs finally got on the board with a goal from defenseman Tim Hambly. Hambly solved Flames netminder Leland Irving at 15:35 in the third off of an Adam Hobson pass. Irving performed well, stopping 27 pucks.

"Obviously this isn't the result I want when I'm trying to get a new start with a new team," Stephenson said. "But we have a lot of games left and I have a lot of chances to prove myself."

Quad City added an empty net goal from John Vigilante at 19:22 in the third with helpers from Anders Eriksson and Greentree.

Rockford's power play was scoreless in two attempts, while Quad City was 1-for-3.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, March 11 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Game time is 7:05 p.m. In honor of the IceHogs 10th Anniversary season, the team is giving away 10,000 hot dogs on Wednesday! Also, all kids 14-and-under can get into the game for just $5 and Wednesday is another Student Rush Night with WXRX as all students with a valid student ID can receive the best seat in the house for just $10.

SHORTHANDED HOGS TRIPPED UP IN GRAND RAPIDS

SHORTHANDED HOGS TRIPPED UP IN GRAND RAPIDS

Photo by Mark Newman
03/04/2009 7:40 PM -
Grand Rapids, Mich.- A shorthanded Rockford IceHogs club couldn’t generated enough offense on Wednesday night in Grand Rapids and fell to the Griffins at Van Andel Arena 3-1.

Without their top three point scorers due to transactions earlier in the day, Rockford still peppered Daniel Larsson with 31 shots on goal. Rockford played with just 16 skaters, two below the allowable limit.

Grand Rapids notched the game’s first goal in the opening frame. Winger Francis Pare shelved his 20th goal of the season past Corey Crawford at 6:56. Evan McGrath and Aaron Gagnon set the marker up.

The Griffins moved the lead to 2-0 with a Ville Leino power-play goal in the second period. Leino picked up a Darren Haydar feed and snapped off his 11th goal of the season, beating Crawford at 8:18 of the middle stanza.

Rockford cut the deficit in half late the third period. Jack Skille blew his 17th goal of the season past Larsson at 19:02. Adam Pineault assisted the goal.

The comeback was halted, however, as Ryan Oulahen buried an empty net goal at 19:47 for his 18th goal of the season to seal it for Grand Rapids.

Crawford was solid once again for Rockford, turning away 36 Griffins shots, but was saddled with the loss. Larsson turned away 30 Rockford attempts in the win.

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.

CRAWFORD DAZZLES IN SAN ANTONIO

CRAWFORD DAZZLES IN SAN ANTONIO

Photo by Greg Hamil
02/28/2009 2:40 PM -
Goalie backstops Rockford to 3-2 shootout win

San Antonio Tex.- If goaltenders got paid by the save, Corey Crawford’s weekend would have been a tale of two very different paychecks. Just one night after facing a season low 14 shots in a 6-1 win in Houston, Crawford saw 46 pucks fired his way on Saturday.

Crawford blocked 44 of them and then an additional four more in the shootout to lead Rockford to a 3-2 win over the San Antonio Rampage in front of a Rampage franchise record 10,265 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

In the shootout Rockford got tallies from Mike Radja (round two) and Tim Brent (round three). San Antonio’s only shootout marker came from Kyle Turris in the shootout’s first round.

In an up-and-down first period, Rockford gained the only goal. The IceHogs team-leading lamp lighter Pascal Pelletier was sprung on a breakaway from Brent at 15:06 and deeked out Al Montoya for his 27th goal of the season. Petri Kontiola also tallied an assist on the goal.

Crawford faced more shots in the first period Saturday than the entire game on Friday in Houston. San Antonio peppered the IceHogs puck stopper with 15 shots in the opening stanza.

Kontiola would push Rockford’s lead to 2-0 in the second frame when he cleaned up a Brent rebound at11:42 of the period on a power play. Danny Groulx also figured into Kontiola’s 15th goal of the season.

The lead was not maintained in the third, however, as San Antonio tallied twice to force overtime. Defenseman Sean Sullivan picked up his own rebound and buried his seventh goal of the season past Crawford at 4:12 of the period.

Late in the period the Rampage tied it when Jonas Anelov picked up a loose puck in front of Crawford and fired in his first goal of the season at 18:07 to force the overtime and eventually the shootout.

Rockford finished the game 1-5 on the power play and held San Antonio to 0-4. With the win, the IceHogs are now 8-2-0-1 in their last 11 road games.

THIRD PERIOD BURST PUSHES HOGS OVER AEROS

THIRD PERIOD BURST PUSHES HOGS OVER AEROS

Photo by Jason Villanueva
02/27/2009 11:42 AM -

Rockford tallies five third period goals in 6-1 win

Houston, Tex.-Tied 1-1 heading into the third period on Friday night the Rockford IceHogs exploded for five third period goals to knock off the Houston Aeros 6-1 at the Toyota Center in a key West Division showdown.

The win pushes Rockford two points ahead of Houston for second place in the West Division, tied with the Chicago Wolves.

The IceHogs wasted little time getting the third period barrage rolling. Just seven seconds into the frame, Pascal Pelletier fired his team-leading 25th goal of the season past Nolan Schaefer for a 2-1 Rockford advantage. Petri Kontiola set it up with Niklas Hjalmarsson. The goal was the fastest scored to start a period in the Hogs AHL era and second fastest goal scored to start a period in IceHogs history.

Just two seconds after a power play expired, Evan Brophey made it 3-1 when he knocked a Hjalmarsson rebound past Schaefer for his 13th goal of the season at 7:08. Pelletier made it a three goal game finishing off a tick-tack-toe sequence with Kontiola and Tim Brent at 13:12.

Brent added his 19th goal of the season at 17:37 to make it 5-1 and Kontiola finished off the Aeros at 18:09 potting his 14th marker of the season.

Pelletier finished the third period with four points (2g-2a) and Hjalmarsson finished the game with a career high three helpers.

Adam Hobson put Rockford on top with a goal at 3:22 of the second period. Moments after a power play expired, Hjalmarsson fired a Mike Radja pass that Hobson deflected past Schaefer for his third goal of the season.

Houston got the goal back mid-way the period when Paul Albers skated through the Hogs back checkers and beat Corey Crawford at 10:03 of the frame for his second goal of the season. John Scott marked an assist on the goal.

Rockford tied an AHL franchise mark allowing just 14 shots on goal. Crawford blocked 13 of them to earn the win. Power plays were a non-factor as Rockford finished 0-5 while holding the Aeros to 0-4.

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.