IHL 2 Rockford IceHogs

Caldwell, IceHogs Take Two of Three from Conference Foes

Published on January 19, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


The Rockford IceHogs continued their steady rise back to into the playoff picture during Week 13, as the Hogs took two of three from a pair of Western Conference opponents. Winger Justin Cardwell had a historic week, as he registered hat tricks in back-to-back games. Week 14 features three more affairs against the West, including the beginning of a five-game road swing.

Wednesday, January 14th: Muskegon 3 vs. Rockford 1: The Rockford IceHogs couldn't capitalize on opportunities against the Muskegon Fury and fell 3-1 at the Rockford MetroCentre in front of 2,403 on Wednesday night. The IceHogs went 0-6 on the power play and Fury forward Robin Bouchard extended his UHL record goal streak to 14 games. The IceHogs jumped on the board early, as All-Star winger Kelly Miller blasted a Justin Cardwell face-off past rookie goalie Brian Haaland at 4:15 of the first period. Haaland, who was making his professional debut, would not be cracked after that. Rockford tightened their defense, but couldn't stop Muskegon's top line. Winger Todd Robinson tied the contest at 13:43 of the second, slipping one by Hogs net-minder Ronnie Vogel. The Fury would then take their first lead of the night at 6:49 of the third period when winger David Ambler flipped one top shelf to push Muskegon on top 2-1. After the Hogs held the Fury on numerous of power play opportunities, Bouchard put the game virtually out of reach at 12:58 when squeaked one by Vogel giving the Fury the 3-1 advantage. Bouchard, who broke Flint forward Jim Duhart's 11-game scoring goal scoring streak last week, extended his current streak to 14. The IceHogs did hold Muskegon to 0-5 on the man advantage however. Vogel finished the game with 23 saves, while Haaland turned away 29 Rockford attempts to pick up his first career win.

Friday, January 21st: Quad City 2 vs. Rockford 4: The Rockford IceHogs delivered on their guaranteed win promise with a 4-2 victory over the Quad City Mallards Friday. After a pre-game pep talk from special guest and legend "Mankind" Mick Foley, the Hogs came out with an aggressive attack that they sustained for 60 minutes. The Hogs were able to keep the Mallards back in their own zone for a good portion of the contest, and in the first period set a franchise record with 25 shots, the most in a single period by Rockford. Rockford got on the scoreboard first when their steady pressure led to a Mallards turnover to forward Justin Cardwell in the high slot. Cardwell buried the ensuing shot at 8:14 to put the Hogs up 1-0. But even after several big scoring opportunities for the Hogs, the Mallards were next to capitalize with a goal by Jeff Williams at 15:53 to tie the game 1-1 before the first intermission. The IceHogs, however, came out of the locker room fired up, and less than a minute into the second period defenseman Kenzie Homer and forward Kelly Miller moved the puck up ice to forward Dave Paradise who scored on Quad City netminder Jeff Reynaert just 26 seconds into the period. Late in the second, the Hogs successfully killed off a Mallards five-on-three power play to hold their 2-1 lead into the second intermission. In the third period the Hogs widened their lead when Cardwell slid one underneath Reynaert for his second of the game at 9:56. Then, at 11:15 Cardwell completed the hat trick with Rockford's fourth goal of the game. Quad City would add a goal from Lanny Gare at 14:29 to complete the scoring. IceHogs goaltender Ronnie Vogel returned to form with 40 saves on 42 Quad City shots. The Hogs tied a season-high with 46 shots on goal and 35 combined shots in the first period.

Saturday, January 17th: Rockford 5 at Missouri 2: Less than 24 hours after netting a hat trick against the Quad City Mallards, IceHogs forward Justin Cardwell scored another three goals in the Hogs 5-2 win over the Missouri River Otters Saturday and became the first player in IceHogs history to record back-to-back hat tricks. Cardwell also became the first Hogs skater to record two hat tricks in a season since David Hoogsteen during the 2001-02 season. The game began in a strikingly similar fashion to Friday night's game, with the Hogs heavily out-shooting the Otters 14-8. The Hogs got on the board first with a power play goal on their first opportunity of the game. Forward Steve Cygan got the goal with assists from defenseman Nathan Lutz and forward Donnie Margettie. But Rockford was unable to reach the first intermission with the lead as Kevin Chabbert capitalized on breakdown with 3.1 seconds left. Once again the IceHogs would get the only goal of the second period when Cardwell opened his hat trick bid at 3:41. Cardwell then began the scoring in the third period with his second goal of the game at 5:26 as the Hogs went up 3-1. But the Otters would make things interesting with a power play goal from Charlie Blyth at 11:28. However, the Hogs would slam the door on the Otters with fewer than two minutes to go in the game with a pair of unassisted goals. The first from Dan Davies at 18:53, and then the hat trick goal by Cardwell into the empty net at 19:47. The Hogs finished the game with a 31-23 shots on goal advantage. Goaltender Ronnie Vogel got the start for Rockford, making 21 saves. Cardwell also extended his point streak to six games, and finished the week with six goals and an assist.

Transactions

Winger Jeff Ewasko was acquired from the Richmond RiverDogs on Wednesday, January 7th. Defenseman Gavin Hodgson was released on Friday, January 9th. Winger Jeremy Vokes was signed on Wednesday, January 14th. Defenseman Nathan Lutz was reassigned to the IceHogs by the Portland Pirates (AHL) on Wednesday, January 14th.

Bacon Bits:

Winger Justin Cardwell is riding a six game point streak in which he has racked up 8g-3a-11pts and has a plus/minus rating of +9.

Cardwell also became the first IceHogs player in franchise history to record back-to-back hat tricks when he registered three goals against Quad City on 1/16/04 and at Missouri on 1/17/04.

Since coming off of the Injured Reserve on 1/7/04, winger Dave Paradise has 5g-4a-9pts with a +3 in seven games.

IceHogs All-Stars Steve Cygan and Kelly Miller hooked up on the Western Conference's second goal at the All-Star Game on Sunday with Cygan scoring with Miller assisting.

The IceHogs set a franchise record and a recorded a UHL season high when they racked up 25 shots on goal in the first period against Quad City on 1/16/04.

With the 5-2 win at Missouri on Saturday, Hogs net minder Ronnie Vogel improved to 6-1-0 against the River Otters this season with a 1.78 goals against average and a .935 save percentage.

After beginning the season 2-10-1 away from the Rockford MetroCentre, the IceHogs are 4-1-1 on the road since flipping the calendar to 2004.

Rockford is 8-0 against the Western Conference in shootouts this season.

The IceHogs are 13-0-0 when scoring four or more goals this season, but are 3-21-2 when scoring less than four goals.

Last season after 39 games, the IceHogs were 17-17-5 (39pts) and had just ended a six game losing streak. In 2003-04 after 39 contests, the Hogs are 16-21-2 (34pts), and have won four of their last six.

Hot Hogs: Week 13

Winger Justin Cardwell: Hot is an understatement for Cardwell who is riding a six game scoring streak and became the first IceHogs player in franchise history to register hat tricks in back-to-back games. During Week 13, Cardwell had 6g-1a-7pts and had a plus/minus rating of +8.

Upcoming Games:

Wednesday, January 21st vs. Quad City Mallards. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Mallards return to the MetroCentre for the second of three meetings in three weeks. And of course, Wednesday at the MetroCentre with the IceHogs means another WXRX $1 Beer Night with the Rock Station and the Hogs.

Saturday, January 24th at Missouri River Otters. Game time is 1:05 p.m. For the second Saturday in a row, the IceHogs travel to the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri to battle the River Otters in an afternoon matinee. The game marks the teams 10th meeting this season.

Sunday, January 25th: at Kalamazoo Wings. Game time is 3:00 p.m. The Hogs travel to Kalamazoo to battle the Wings for the first of three roads games at Wings stadium in 11 days.

All 76 on Y95:

Catch all 76 Regular Season and all Playoff games on the official radio home for the Rockford IceHogs, Y95, 95.3 FM. The broadcast begins with the SBC Pregame Show and make sure to give your opinion during the post game call in show following each home game at (815) 874-3953.

IT'S CYGAN FROM MILLER IN THE ALL-STAR GAME

The United Hockey League brought back the All-Star Game on Sunday and a pair of Rockford IceHogs represented their squad well. Center Steve Cygan scored the Western Conference's second goal of the game at 8:25 of the first period with the primary assist going to Hogs winger Kelly Miller. The UHL brought the game back after a two season hiatus.

The game was hosted by the Fort Wayne Komets and played at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum with 8,119 fans in attendance. The Eastern Conference All-Stars did however, knock off the West 8-3 after scoring five second period goals.

Richmond River Dogs forward Kevin St. Jacques was named MVP after chipping in 2g-1a-3pts to help lead the East to victory. Port Huron's Michel Beausoleil netted a hat-trick and Adirondack winger Hugo Belanger led all scorers with 1g-3a-4pts.

The other two Western Conference goals were scored by Muskegon Fury wingers Todd Robinson and Brant Blackned. Blackned and Cygan gave the West a 2-0 lead in the first period before the East exploded for eight of the next nine goals.

Week 13 Results Week 14 Schedule

Wednesday, January 14th: Muskegon 3 vs. Rockford 1 Wednesday, January 21st vs. Quad City, 7:05 p.m.

Friday, January 16th: Quad City 2 vs. Rockford 4

Saturday, January 24th at Missouri, 1:05 p.m.

Sunday, January 17th: Rockford 5 at Missouri 2 Sunday, January 25th at Kalamazoo, 3:00 p.m.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 19, 2004


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