AHL Rockford IceHogs

Hogs Head into Homestretch against Charlotte

April 15, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Rockford, Ill. - With 73 games in the books, the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs return home to wrap up the 2014-15 regular season. The IceHogs (44-22-5-2) welcome the Charlotte Checkers (30-36-6-1) to the BMO Harris Bank Center Wednesday night, in the first of three home games before the Calder Cup Playoffs begin next week. Face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Wednesday is the final WXRX Dollar Day of the season, so fans have one final chance to enjoy Vienna Beef hot dogs, sodas, beers and companion tickets for only $1. WXRX is also teaming up with the IceHogs to "Pack The House," and are offering a voucher for up to four free tickets to see the IceHogs and Checkers duke it out at the BMO.

To get tickets, visit WXRX.com, print out the voucher and redeem it at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office or online with Ticketmaster. Offer is subject to availability.

Those unable to attend the game can watch live locally on WIFR 23.3 or online at AHLLive.com. Television coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with the IceHogs Warm Up Pre-Game Show, with hosts TJ Hogan and Mike Peck.

Rockford enters the final week of the AHL regular season schedule with 95 points, one point behind the Grand Rapids Griffins for the Midwest Division lead and the third seed in the West Conference. While they have clinched at least a fourth-place finish and home-ice advantage in the Conference Quarterfinals, the IceHogs could still catch the Griffins - or even the second-seed San Antonio Rampage - with a strong finish.

The first game of Rockford's final three happens to be the last of three-straight against Charlotte. The two teams are meeting to cap off a tripleheader that began with a pair of games at the Time Warner Cable Arena last weekend. The IceHogs blanked the Checkers 2-0 on Saturday on a 25-save shutout performance by Antti Raanta before falling 4-3 the following afternoon.

Rockford raced out to an early 2-0 lead in Sunday's matinee, but surrendered three unanswered goals and the eventual game-winning goal late in the third period from Charlotte's Brock McGinn. In what was their third game in four days and their fourth game of the week, a number of IceHogs regulars had the afternoon off, including Peter Regin, Spencer Abbott, Ville Pokka and Kyle Cumiskey.

Cumiskey's absence was explained later Sunday night as he - along with Raanta - were recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks prior to the big club's playoff run. To fill the roster gaps, Rockford called for goaltender Mac Carruth and defensemen Justin Holl and Kirill Gotovets from the ECHL's Indy Fuel.

Regin and Abbott have been two of Rockford's most dangerous forwards of late, combining for 16 points (6g-10a) over their last five games. The latter has found the net in three consecutive outings, and has claimed the team scoring lead with 44 points (18g-26a), one more than Mark McNeill (22g-21a) and Garret Ross (21g-22a). Abbott has now accumulated 11 goals and nine assists in just 16 games with the IceHogs.

Abbott and his teammates are set to return to a building where they have recently pieced together a historic streak. The IceHogs enter Wednesday victorious in each of their last seven games at the BMO, the longest home winning streak in their AHL history. Rockford has outscored their opponents 33-15 over that stretch, including an overwhelming 18-7 margin in their last three games on home ice.

After playing their last four at home to a 2-1-1-0 record, the Checkers visit the Forest City in the first leg of a season-ending road trip that ends with a weekend doubleheader in Grand Rapids. Charlotte remains anchored in 13th place in the West and fourth in the West Division with 67 points, 14 off of the pace of the eighth-seeded Toronto Marlies.

Right wing Justin Shugg used a goal and an assist on Sunday to pad his lead atop the Checkers points list, now showing 40 points (20g-20a) in 62 games. Defenseman Trevor Carrick paces all Charlotte rookies and blueliners with 28 points (7g-21a) in 73 appearances.

Goaltender Rasmus Tirronen, who earned the win with 32 saves in his professional debut on Sunday, was released Tuesday from his amateur tryout contract. Drew MacIntyre (19-25-5, 2.85 GAA, .912 SV%) got the nod in the first game of the tripleheader against the IceHogs, turning aside 33 of 34 shots.

Next Home Game: Friday, April 17 vs. Chicago Wolves: Face-off is at 7 p.m. The IceHogs finish the season series against their crosstown rivals as the Chicago Wolves visit the BMO. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will pick up an IceHogs beach towel, courtesy of Peak Fitness. Rockford heads into the final meeting with Chicago already having clinched the 2014-15 Illinois Lottery Cup. The IceHogs have a 7-3-1-0 record against the Wolves this season.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2015


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.

OurSports Central