Division Semis Come To Rockford
April 19, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
The Rockford IceHogs and Texas Stars return to Rockford with Texas holding a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven West Division Semifinals. The two teams clash on Wednesday in Game 3 and Friday in Game 4 at the Rockford MetroCentre and then Saturday in Game 5 if necessary.
Calder Cup Playoffs Week 1 Results
Game 1: Friday, April 16: Rockford 1 at Texas 2
Game 2: Saturday, April 17: Rockford 1 at Texas 3
Calder Cup Playoffs Week 2 Schedule
Game 3: Wednesday, April 21 vs. Texas, 7:05 p.m.
Game 4: Friday, April 23 vs. Texas, 7:05 p.m.
Game 5: Saturday, April 24 vs. Texas, 7:05 p.m. (if necessary)
Bacon Bits:
-Goalie Corey Crawford has started 16 of the 18 Calder Cup playoff games in Rockford's team history
-Crawford is 9:59 minutes from passing Frederic Cloutier for most postseason minutes played in an IceHogs uniform
-Left wing Kyle Beach recorded his first professional goal on Saturday in his third career postseason game
-Rockford has scored just one goal in their last seven postseason games dating back to May 13, 2008 vs. Chicago
-The Hogs have now lost eight straight postseason games dating back to May 11, 2008 vs. Chicago
-The Hogs are tied for third in the postseason with a 90.0 percent penalty kill rate (1-for-10) after the first week
-Winger Ben Smith made his professional debut with the IceHogs on Saturday after signing an ATO with the team on Thursday
-Kyle Greentree set an IceHogs Calder Cup playoff record with 19 penalty minutes on Friday against Texas
-After outscoring opponents 77-64 in the first period in the regualr season, the IceHogs are being outscored by Texas 3-0 in the postseason
-Defenseman David Phillips (+1) is the only IceHogs skater with a positive plus/minus rating in the postseason to date
Calder Cup Playoffs Week 1:
Goalie Corey Crawford stopped 47 of 52 shots in the opening weekend of the 2010 Calder Cup West Division Semifinals. Crawford had 19 saves in a 2-1 loss to Texas in Game 1 on Friday and then made 28 saves in a 3-1 loss to the Stars in Game 2 on Saturday. Rockford's netminder has a .912 save percentage and a 2.56 goals-against average so far in the postseason.
Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, April 21 vs. Texas Stars (Game 3): Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Rockford IceHogs return home down 2-0 in the West Division Semifinals of the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Hogs host the Texas Stars in Game 3 at the Rockford MetroCentre.
Friday, April 23 vs. Texas Stars (Game 4): Game 4 of the best-of-seven series gets underway at 7:05 p.m. at the Rockford MetroCentre as the Rockford IceHogs and Texas Stars continue their West Division Semifinals set. The Hogs will either be facing elimination or looking to even the series 2-2 with a win at home.
Saturday, April 24 vs. Texas Stars (Game 5): The IceHogs will look to add another home game to their postseason schedule. With a win in either Game 3 or Game 4, the Hogs will host the Stars in Game 5 at the Rockford MetroCentre. Game time is 7:05 p.m., if necessary.
The IceHogs Broadcasting Network:
Rockford IceHogs fans can catch all of the IceHogs regular-and post-season games on the Hogs' flagship radio station Rockford's Voice, WNTA-AM 1330 and 30 regular season games on ESPN Radio 1380-AM, WTJK. Fans can also watch and listen to the Hogs on the World Wide Web with AHL Live! Visit the IceHogs Web site (icehogs.com) and click on the "click here to watch the AHL Live" icon, and for just $7 you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Comcast Cable television in Rockford can tune in to Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action this season. The broadcast begins with the Pregame Show 30 minutes before the puck drops. Make sure to give your opinion during the Comcast Post-Game Call-In Show following each game at (815) 874-8255.
Playoff Tickets Now On Sale!
2010 Calder Cup playoff tickets are now on sale! Call (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for the first two IceHogs playoff games. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office in downtown Rockford or on the Web at metrocentre.com. Tickets start at just $11.
BLACKHAWKS SIGN BEN SMITH
Photo Courtesy of the Texas Stars
Chicago, Ill.-The Chicago Blackhawks have signed right wing Ben Smith to a two-year contract, which begins at the start of the 2010-11 season.
Smith, 21, helped Boston College (Hockey East) capture the NCAA Championship this season, sharing third on the club with 16 goals and finishing fourth with 37 points in 42 games during his senior year while serving as alternate captain. Chicago's fifth choice, 169th overall, in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Smith was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. He also helped the Eagles win the 2008 NCAA Championship, ranking second on the club with 25 goals and third with 50 points - both career highs - in 44 contests during his sophomore campaign.
The Winston-Salem, North Carolina, native led Boston College with five game-winning goals during the 2009-10 season, which includes the go-ahead tally in the team's 5-0 win over Wisconsin in the National Championship. Smith also tied for fifth on Boston College with 21 assists while only being whistled for eight penalty minutes. He was the recipient of the Hockey East Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship Award.
Smith appeared in all 165 of Boston College's games during his four-year tenure from 2006 to 2010, racking up 122 points (57G, 65A) and 36 penalty minutes. He finished his career tied for seventh in Boston College history in games played.
The winger made his professional debut with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) on Saturday in Game 2 of the AHL's West Division Semifinals against the Texas Stars. In his first pro game, Smith recorded a shot on goal.
ICEHOGS CLOSE MALL STORE
Rockford, Ill. - The Rockford IceHogs announced that the team's merchandise store, Hog Headquarters in CherryVale Mall, has closed.
IceHogs merchandise is still available on-line at www.icehogs.com, at all IceHogs home games and at select Walgreen's locations throughout the Rockford area.
The team is exploring other options in the area to make IceHogs merchandise available to fans.
For information about IceHogs merchandise, visit www.icehogs.com or call (815) 986-6465.
Next Home Game: Wednesday, April 21 vs. Texas Stars. Game Three of the West Division Semifinals. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The West Division Semi's shift north as the IceHogs and Stars return to Rockford for Game Three of the Calder Cup Playoff's opening round at the MetroCentre.
American Hockey League Stories from April 19, 2010
- Americans Double Heat 8-4 - Abbotsford Heat
- Bulldogs Drop Game 3 to Moose, but Still Lead Series 2-1 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Admirals Drop Game 4 to Wolves - Milwaukee Admirals
- Moose Blow Out Bulldogs in Game 3, 7-2 - Manitoba Moose
- Monarchs Take a Commanding 3-0 Lead in Playoff Series - Manchester Monarchs
- Wolves Edge Milwaukee, 1-0, to Take 3-1 Series Lead - Chicago Wolves
- Rats Sweep Pens With 5-3 Victory - Albany River Rats
- Monarchs Knock Off Pirates in OT - Portland Pirates
- Wings Recall McCollum And Pyett - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Division Semis Come To Rockford - Rockford IceHogs
- Worcester Sharks Take Games 2 And 3 Vs. Devils For Series Lead - Worcester Sharks
- Remainder Of Bulldogs' First Round Playoff Games To Be Broadcast On Cable 14 Live - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- Texas Stars Playoff Daily #6 - Texas Stars
- AHL Morning Skate - AHL
- Monarchs Weekly Report - Manchester Monarchs
- Amerks Look To Take 2-1 Series Lead Tonight - Rochester Americans
- Albany Looks To Sweep Tonight - Albany River Rats
- Bears Look To Close Out Tigers Wednesday Night - Hershey Bears
- Moose Sign Stefan Schneider To ATO - Manitoba Moose
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