ROCKFORD REDUCES TRAINING CAMP BY 11

By: Mike Peck
09/30/2010 12:51 PM

Photo by Greg Hamil
09/30/2010 12:51 PM - Palmer reassigned to Toledo, 10 released from try out

Rockford, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard announced on Thursday that the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League has released 10 players from their training camp try out and that goalie Joe Palmer was reassigned to the Toledo Walleye (ECHL).

Skaters released include forwards Josh Beaulieu, Dustin Cameron, Matt Francis, Brian Kaufman, John Morea; defensemen Brett Blatchford, Dallas Jackson, Scott Kalinchuk and Kyle Page; goalie Jeremie Dupont.

Rockford’s training camp roster now stands at 20 skaters, including 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies.

The IceHogs return to preseason action on Friday night at the Rockford MetroCentre when they take on the Milwaukee Admirals at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are just $5 and can be purchased at the MetroCentre Box Office, on-line at www.metrocentre.com or by calling 815-968-5222.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Oct. 9, 2009 vs. Manitoba Moose. The puck is set to drop at 4:35 p.m. The IceHogs begin the 2010-11 season against the Manitoba Moose and the first 5,000 fans will receive a 2010-11 IceHogs Magnet Schedule courtesy of U.S. Cellular, Dental Dimensions, Guerilla Graffix and the Illinois Pork Producers. Before the game on Saturday there is a fan festival from 1-4 p.m. where fans can enjoy music, food and entertainment.

BLACKHAWKS RECALL PIRRI, ASSIGN RICHARDS

By: Mike Peck
09/30/2010 10:22 AM

09/30/2010 10:22 AM - Chicago, Ill.-The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled forward Brandon Pirri from the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs and assigned goaltender Alec Richards to Rockford.

Pirri appeared in Rockford’s 5-4 shootout preseason win over Peoria on Tuesday night and registered a goal and an assist to go along with a goal in the shootout.

Richards appeared in six games with the IceHogs during his rookie campaign in 2009-10. The Robbinsdale, Minn. native had a record of 3-2-0-0 with a .895 save percentage and a 3.12 goals against average. Richards also skated in 42 games with Toledo and went 17-12-5.

Chicago’s training camp roster now stands at 31 active players, which includes 18 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goaltenders.

Rockford’s training camp roster contains 30 players including 16 forwards, 10 defensemen and four goalies.

ROCKFORD’S COMEBACK FALLS SHORT AGAINST CHICAGO

By: Mike Peck
09/29/2010 5:33 PM

Photo by Greg Hamil
09/29/2010 5:33 PM - Three-goal deficit to big to overcome for IceHogs

Rolling Meadows, Ill.-A late game comeback wasn’t in the fold for the Rockford IceHogs on Wednesday night as the American Hockey League club dropped a 5-3 preseason contest to the Chicago Wolves at West Meadows Ice Arena.

A night after tying the game in the final minute en route to a shootout win over the Peoria Rivermen, Rockford’s three-goal third-period deficit was too much to overcome.

Down 4-1, Kyle Hagel pulled Rockford within two when he beat Edward Pasquale at 7:27 of the final frame, helped by Scott Fletcher and Josh Beaulieu.

Then Peter Leblanc made it a one-goal contest at 19:02 of the third, when he shot in his first preseason goal, assisted by Zach Torquato.

But with Jeremie Dupont on the bench for Rockford in favor of an extra attacker, Chicago iced the game with an empty net goal from Michael Davies at 19:26.

Up 2-1 entering the third period, Chicago tacked on two early goals to put the Hogs in a 4-1 hole. Akim Aliu lit his first lamp of the preseason at 2:15 before Dan Kissel notched his first marker at 3:40.

Mauro Juri put Chicago on top late in the opening frame to start the scoring. Juri knocked the game’s first marker past Rockford goalie Danny Battachio at 18:15 with assists from Aliu and Maxime Tanguay.

Rockford got the goal back at 10:41 of the second period on the power play. Winger Andy Bohmbach tallied his first goal of the preseason, helped by Scott Kalinchuk and Battachio.

The Wolves reclaimed the lead with a power-play goal of their own. Matt Krug found the back of the net at 16:05 past Dupont, assisted by Dan Kissel, making the score 2-1 heading into the second intermission.

Dupont was handed the loss after allowing three goals on 14 shots. Battachio blocked 17 of 18 Chicago shot attempts during his stint in net.

Chicago outshot Rockford 33-29 and the IceHogs finished the game 1-8 on the power play while holding the Wolves to 1-5.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Oct. 9, 2009 vs. Manitoba Moose. The puck is set to drop at 4:35 p.m. The IceHogs begin the 2010-11 season against the Manitoba Moose and the first 5,000 fans will receive a 2010-11 IceHogs Magnet Schedule courtesy of U.S. Cellular, Dental Dimensions, Guerilla Graffix and the Illinois Pork Producers. Before the game on Saturday there is a fan festival from 1-4 p.m. where fans can enjoy music, food and entertainment.

TRAINING CAMP SPOTLIGHT: TORQUATO HOPES TO SOLIDIFY SPOT IN HOGS LINE-UP

By: Matt Prefontaine
09/29/2010 3:29 PM

Photo by Greg Hamil
09/29/2010 3:29 PM - The wealth of prospects in the Chicago Blackhawks system leaves few open spots on the Rockford Icehogs roster for training camp invitees and American Hockey League (AHL) contracted players. For one of these players to make the team out of camp he will have to make a large impression.

Zach Torquato is trying to do just that.

Torquato, the 2007 Sixth Round (#178 overall) draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings and midsummer acquisition of the IceHogs, made his debut with the club Tuesday night against the Peoria Rivermen.

The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native wrapped up a five-year junior career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) last season for the Saginaw Spirit and Erie Otters before signing an AHL contract with the IceHogs in July .

Over his five years in the OHL, Torquato competed in 330 games, amassing 134 goals, 195 assists for 339 points. The highlight being his overage season in 2009-10 where he put up 93 points in 68 games with the Otters.

The 6-foot centermen felt good about his play against the Rivermen on Tuesday and hopes that it gives him an edge in his attempt to crack the young but offensively skilled forward group that will be core of the IceHogs this season.

“I had a good game last night,” Torquato said, “I took advantage of the opportunities I was given and that’s what’s expected of me.”

Torquato potted two goals and was successful on a shootout attempt, which helped propel the IceHogs over the Rivermen 5-4.

Torquato hopes that both his offensive ability along with the versatility in his game can help him earn a spot on the Hogs roster this season.

“I can be the offensive guy or I can play two-way hockey,” Torquato said, “I will fill whatever role the coaches need me too.”

There will be no rest for Torquato, along with the rest of the Hogs hopefuls, day four of training camp continues tonight as the Hog’s head down to Rolling Meadows to take on the Chicago Wolves in preseason action.

The prospective Hog is taking things day-by-day, trying to absorb all that comes with being in his first professional season and hopes to continue his strong play tonight.

“It’s been pretty exciting, I just want to take it all in and try not to get overwhelmed.” Torquato said, “I want to play consistent hockey.”

If Torquato’s strong play continues throughout the remainder of IceHogs training camp there is a very good chance that Hogs fans could see him in the opening line-up come Oct. 9 against the Manitoba Moose.

HOGS GRAB 5-4 SHOOTOUT WIN OVER THE RIVERMEN

By: Adam Weil
09/28/2010 7:27 PM

Photo by Greg Hamil
09/28/2010 7:27 PM -
Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs picked away at an early deficit to edge out the Peoria Rivermen, 5-4 in a shootout at the Rockford MetroCentre to open the preseason on Tuesday night.

With less than one minute remaining in the third period, IceHogs winger Zach Torquato tied the score at 4-4 with his second marker on the night. Torquato’s goal at 19:02 was set up by Dallas Jackson and Dustin Cameron.

The IceHogs held down the defense late in the overtime period, killing off a bench minor and forcing the deciding shootout.
In the shootout the IceHogs outscored the Rivermen 3-2 to claim the win. Torquato, Brandon Pirri and Brandon Bollig notched shootout goals on Peoria net minder Gerald Colman. Peoria received goals from Tyler Shattock and Jerad Stewart.

While the IceHogs battled late to get the victory, Peoria controlled the scoring early.

Peoria got on the board first as Mark Isherwood found the back of the net at 6:01 on the power play in the first period. Shattock and Phil McRae were credited with the assists.

Later in the opening frame, IceHogs goalie Joe Palmer came out to play the puck but couldn't clear it out of the Rockford zone. Matt McIlvane picked up the loose puck and slapped it in to put the Rivermen up 2-0 at 6:26.

The IceHogs responded with a power-play goal of their own to cut the lead to 2-1 at 7:17. Cameron found Torquato camped out in front of the net and he chipped in his first marker. Pirri was also credited with an assist.

Peoria winger Pierce Norton picked up his second point of the night, his first goal, as he extended the Rivermen lead to 3-1. Ryan Palmer found Norton streaking towards the net and he put it off the cross bar and past Palmer at 11:01.

With Peoria on the advantage in the second period, Chris DiDomenico stick handled past a Rivermen defender and netted his first goal of the game to bring the IceHogs within a goal at 3-2 at 7:34. Jonathan Carlsson factored in with an assist.

Pirri cleaned up a rebound off of a shot from winger DiDomenico, 50 seconds into the third period to tie the game at 3.

Peoria, however, fired back with a power-play goal from Stewart, assisted by Ethan Cox and Mark Cundari at 3:20 of the third period.

Danny Battachio earned the win in goal for Rockford, making 13 saves in nearly 33 minutes of work. Palmer started for Rockford and stopped 15 of 18 Rivermen shots. Coleman went the distance for Peoria and blocked 26 IceHogs shots.
Rockford finished the night 1-5 on the power play, while the Rivermen went 2-11.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Oct. 9, 2009 vs. Manitoba Moose. The puck is set to drop at 4:35 p.m. The IceHogs begin the 2010-11 season against the Manitoba Moose and the first 5,000 fans will receive a 2010-11 IceHogs Magnet Schedule courtesy of U.S. Cellular, Dental Dimensions, Guerilla Graffix and the Illinois Pork Producers. Before the game on Saturday there is a fan festival from 1-4 p.m. where fans can enjoy music, food and entertainment.