HOT HOGS LOOK TO AVOID CHECKERS

01/26/2012 8:52 AM

By: Mike Peck

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