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Rockford IceHogs

Rockford Takes on Milwaukee in Home Opener

October 22, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Rockford, Ill. - Tonight is the night. The Rockford IceHogs take on the Milwaukee Admirals in their 2016-17 Home Opener tonight at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The IceHogs enter this evening's contest fresh off of their first victory of the season in Grand Rapids yesterday.

Game time is 7 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m. The first 5,000 fans to enter the arena will receive an IceHogs calendar compliments of BMO Harris Bank. Rockford will also raise a banner celebrating the affiliation between the IceHogs and Blackhawks prior to the start of the game. Tickets can be purchased at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office or any Ticketmaster location, by phone (815) 968-5222 or online at www.icehogs.com.

Fans unable to make the game can tune in to all the action on The Justice Network 23.3 beginning at 6:30 p.m. with IceHogs Warmup. IceHogs fans can also listen to the game at WXRX.com or watch live at AHLlive.com.

The IceHogs (1-2-0-0) come home to the BMO with their first win of the season under their belt thanks to a perfect power play in Michigan. Grand Rapids was previously undefeated before Rockford handed them their first loss of the campaign. Milwaukee (3-0-0-0) comes into tonight's game also undefeated and ranks second in the Central Division.

Friday's game at The Van Andel Arena was a night of firsts for the IceHogs. Goaltender Lars Johansson picked up his first AHL win after a 27 save performance to earn him the #1 star of the game. His fellow countryman, Martin Lundberg, scored the game winner in the third period for his first career goal in North America. Also, experienced forward Spencer Abbott picked up his 50th career AHL goal to give the IceHogs a 1-0 lead in the second period.

Both goals by Abbott and Lundberg came on the power play and improved the team's success rate with the man advantage to 2-for-12. On the penalty kill, the IceHogs are tied with Milwaukee for seventh in the league at 87.5 percent.

Rockford faced the Admirals 12 times in the 2015-16 season for a 6-2-2-2 record. Ville Pokka led all defensemen with 12 points (1G-11A) in 12 games last season against Milwaukee. Pierre-Cedric Labrie added nine points (7G-2A) in 10 games. Tanner Kero, the current IceHogs season points leader (1G, 1A) notched eight points (2G-6A) against the Admirals last season. Both Frederick Gaudreau and Adam Payerl are back this season for Milwaukee and were ranked first and second respectively on the stat sheet last season against Rockford.

Home Opener: Tonight vs. Milwaukee at 7 p.m. The IceHogs open their 18th season of professional hockey at the BMO Harris Bank Center with the first home game of the 2016-17 season. The first 5,000 fans to enter the arena will receive an IceHogs calendar compliments of BMO Harris Bank. For tickets visit IceHogs.com or call (815) 968-5222.

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