AHL Rockford IceHogs

Hogs Hope To Turn Fortunes At Home

Published on December 30, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Rockford, Ill.- Halfway through their first four-game week of the 2011-12 season, the Rockford IceHogs are still looking for their first win. The IceHogs will try to pick up that victory tonight when the Charlotte Checkers visit the BMO Harris Bank Center at 7:05 p.m.

The first 1,000 kids 14 and under will pick up an IceHogs Kids Jersey courtesy of Rockford Orthopedic. For tickets, call (815) 968-5222, online through icehogs.com or stop by the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.

If you can't make the game, tune into 100.5 NTA FM, 1330 AM WNTA, or on the web at nta.fm. To watch the contest, tune into Comcast Cable channel-57 or online through AHLlive.com.

Tonight's contest is the fourth of eight on the season between Rockford and Charlotte. The IceHogs are 1-2-0-0 against the Checkers after splitting a two-game set in Charlotte back in November.

Charlotte has been off from game action for 10 days, as they last played on Dec. 20 against Oklahoma City. The Checkers enter play tonight in second place in the Midwest Division, just two points behind division leading Milwaukee.

Following tonight's game, Rockford will embark on a season-long seven-game road swing beginning tomorrow in Peoria.

Next Home Game: Monday, Jan. 16 vs. Texas Stars. Game time is 1:05 p.m. The IceHogs return home for the first time in over two weeks for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. matinee game to take on the Stars for the second and final time at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The first 1,500 kids 14 and under will pick up an IceHogs Drawstring Bag courtesy of Frito Lay.

Tonight's Matchup

Rockford Charlotte

Record 11-17-1-2 17-11-2-1

Points 25 37

Division Ranking 5th, Midwest 2nd, Midwest

Conference Ranking 15th, Western 6th, Western

Head-To-Head 1-2-0-0 2-1-0-0

Past 10 Games 3-5-0-2 6-4-0-0

Power Play (Ranking)

17.4% (19th) 19.5% (12th)

Penalty Kill (Ranking)

75.2% (30th) 83.6% (8th)

Points Leader Pirri, 31

Matsumoto, 28

Goals Leader Pirri, 13 Matsumoto, 13

Assists Leader Connelly, 24 Terry, 17

Game Notes

Midwest Week Continues: Tonight's game is the third of four during Week 13 for the IceHogs, with all four contests coming against the AHL's Midwest Division. Rockford fell in Milwaukee 7-3 on Monday and 5-3 in Chicago on Thursday. The IceHogs finish the week in"ˆPeoria tomorrow.

Mr. Two Goals: Rookie center Andrew Shaw notched his third two-goal game in his last nine contests. Shaw is tied for the team lead with the multi-goal games on the season and ranks second on the team with 11 goals. The first-year center also recorded two-goal efforts on 12/9/11 against Chicago and 12/14/11 at Grand Rapids. Shaw has seven total goals in December.

Three's Not Enough: Rockford is averaging 3.00 goals per game over their past seven games, but has just a 1-4-0-2 record over that stretch. The team has allowed 33 markers over that seven game stretch, an average of 4.71 goals per game. During Rockford's current three-game losing streak, the team has given up 16 goals. The IceHogs have yet to hold an opponent under two goals in a game this season through 31 regular season tilts.

Home Today, Gone Tomorrow: After tonight's game against Charlotte, the IceHogs will embark on a season-long seven game road swing running through Jan. 14. The swing begins in Peoria tomorrow and features stops in Houston, Texas (2), Chicago, Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Rockford's next home game at the BMO Harris Bank Center is slated for Monday, Jan. 16 against the Texas Stars at 1:05 p.m.

Slow Out Of The Blocks: Rockford has scored the game's first goal in just 11 of their 31 games so far this season (5-5-0-1) and have jumped out to a 2-0 lead just three times. The last 2-0 Rockford advantage came on Wednesday, Nov. 23 against San Antonio in a 6-3 win. Rockford also held 2-0 leads in both of their contests in Abbotsford (10/14 and 10/16). The IceHogs, however, have only been outscored 39-32 in the first 20 minutes.

Connelly Closing In On Milestones: Defenseman Brian Connelly will appear in his 199 career pro game tonight, all with Rockford. The d-man is two games shy of becoming just the fourth IceHogs skater during the team's AHL era to reach the 200 game plateau (Evan Brophey, Rob Klinkhammer and Jake Dowell). Connelly is also two assists shy from 100, which would match the all-time franchise record for helpers (Jeff DaCosta). The blue-liner currently ranks seventh on Rockford's all-time points list with 117 career points, including third in the modern era.

45 And Counting: Rookie winger Jimmy Hayes is expected to make his National Hockey League debut tonight with the Blackhawks against Detroit. Once Hayes steps onto the ice, he'll become the 45th different IceHogs player to play in the NHL in team history. Hayes will be the fourth different skater from this year's team to get promoted, joining Ben Smith, Brandon Pirri and Jeremy Morin. Rostislav Olesz has also played six games with the Blackhawks this season.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2011


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