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AHL Rockford IceHogs

Hogs Cross State Line to Pay Admirals Visit

December 30, 2023 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


MILWAUKEE, Wisc. - The Rockford IceHogs gear up for the New Year with two games against the Milwaukee Admirals leading up to the ball drop with the first coming tonight at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. Tonight is the fourth of 12 meetings between Rockford and Milwaukee this season. Each of the previous three meetings has needed overtime with the IceHogs winning one of those encounters. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. this evening.

The Hogs have points in three of their last five games but are just 2-7-1-0 in their last 10 affairs. Four of Rockford's last six games have been decided by just one goal.

Rockford is expected to see the return of one of its top players this evening. Anders Bjork has missed the last seven games after a facial injury in practice, and his return is anticipated tonight. Bjork ranks fifth in scoring amongst all Rockford skaters with 15 points (4G, 11A) in 19 games.

2023-24 Season Records

Rockford: 11-13-3-0, 25 points (4th, Central)

Milwaukee: 16-9-1-0, 33 points (2nd, Central)

Last Meeting vs. Milwaukee

Rockford fell to Milwaukee 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 25 in Wisconsin. After the first goals of the season from both Ryan Gagnier and Zach Jordan, the Admirals tied the game at 2-2 with just over four minutes left in the third, and then Denis Gurianov scored the game-winner 12 seconds into overtime.

Last Game: 4-2 Loss to Grand Rapids Griffins on Dec. 27

In the first game after the Christmas break, the IceHogs fell to the Grand Rapids Griffins 4-2 at the BMO Center on Wednesday night. Rockford took a 2-1 lead in the second period, but three unanswered goals from Grand Rapids led to a Griffins victory. Both of Rockford's goals came on the power play from Colton Dach and Mike Hardman. Dach's goal came nine minutes into the first frame to tie the game while Hardman's gave the Hogs a 2-1 lead two minutes into the second. Joel L'Esperance tied the game at 2-2 for Grand Rapids at the 15:07 mark in the second, and Carter Mazur capitalized on a power play for the Griffins later in the third. Elmer Soderblom, brother of IceHogs alumni Arvid Soderblom, added the empty-netter late in the third.

Power Play Reignites

After a perfect 2-for-2 outing on Wednesday against Grand Rapids, the IceHogs now have two power-play goals in each of their last two contests. All four goals that Rockford has scored in regulation over the last two games have come on the man-advantage. Heading into last Friday's game against San Diego, the Hogs ranked 22nd in the AHL on the power play at 16.7%. After the last two games, Rockford has climbed to 13th in the league rankings and now sit at 19.1%. The Hogs now have five games this season in which they have scored multiple power-play goals.

Cates Earns Contract

After originally signing the center to a PTO on Dec. 11, the IceHogs signed Jackson Cates to an AHL contract on Dec. 29. The agreement runs through the remainder of the 2023-24 season. Cates has five points (3G, 2A) in six games for Rockford since joining the club, and he posted three points (1G, 2A) against the Iowa Wild on Dec. 16. More than simple point production, the pivot is also a faceoff specialist and has easily the best faceoff percentage of any IceHogs skater this season at 65%. The next closest Rockford player is Mike Hardman at 55%. The team average is 50%. Skating in virtually every situation on the ice, Cates already has a power-play goal, an even strength goal, and a shorthanded empty-netter under his belt. The former University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldog had 23 points (11G, 12A) in 65 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season.

Close Calls

Four of Rockford's last six games and three of Rockford's last four losses have all been by just one goal. The Hogs played in just one one-goal game in the first 10 games of the season, and in the 17 games since have found themselves in 8 contests decided by one score. This season, Rockford is 4-2-3-0 in one-goal games. The Hogs are 2-3 in overtime games and 1-0 in shootout finals.

Tune In LIVE on the IceHogs Broadcast Network Presented by BMO

Watch and listen to every game this season on the IceHogs Broadcast Network presented by BMO! Listen from your favorite device, at home, or on the road at IceHogs.com and on the IceHogs app and watch LIVE on AHLTV and selected games in High Definition on 19.2 Circle TV (Changing from 19.2 to The 365 starting on Dec. 31)! Fans can also tune in on all of Mid-West Family's local stations including 104.9 The X, B103, 95.3 The Bull, and Rockford Greatest Hits 100.5 and featured on Rock River Current, the Stateline's premiere source for local events, news and culture.

2023-24 Head-to-Head Schedule (All Times Central)

Fri., Nov. 17 vs. Milwaukee - OTL 4-5 - Recap, Highlights

Fri., Nov. 24 vs. Milwaukee - OTW 2-1 - Recap, Highlights

Sat., Nov. 25 at Milwaukee - OTL 2-3 - Recap, Highlights

Sat., Dec. 30 at Milwaukee, 6 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 31 vs. Milwaukee, 4 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 26 at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

Fri., Mar. 1 at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

Fri., Mar. 29 at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

Tues., Apr. 2 vs. Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

Sat., Apr. 13 vs. Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

Sun., Apr. 14 vs. Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

Sat., Apr. 20 at Milwaukee, 6 p.m.

IceHogs vs Admirals, All Time

74-71-11-12

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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