Hogs Host Wild in Weekend Set Opener
January 22, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill. - The Western Conference-leading Rockford IceHogs (24-10-2-3) face off against the Iowa Wild (10-26-2-3) for the first of two games in consecutive nights at the BMO Harris Bank Center tonight at 7 p.m.
The first 2,500 fans to enter the BMO will receive an IceHogs fleece blanket courtesy of OSF.
Those 21-and-older can get their weekend started early at the BMO at the Blues Flame Lounge Pre-Game Party. Burn n' Bush will be performing while guests enjoy free appetizers and drink specials. Fans with a game ticket must enter through the upper-concourse level entrance on Elm St. near the box office. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and only the first 150 will be permitted.
The IceHogs are hosting their third annual Pucks & Paws game. The first 1,500 fans will receive a free dog treat for their four-legged friends courtesy of Whimzees. Local shelters (Noah's Ark, Mending Hearts Rescue, Winnebago County Animal Services) will be set up throughout the arena to provide information about their organizations and showcase a few of their adoptable dogs. Winnebago County Animal Services will be selling the 2016 Pawkey calendars which feature the IceHogs with some of their adoptable animals. There will also be a silent auction featuring pet items ranging from a one-month BarkBox subscription to a Gibi Pet Tracker ($100 value). Zica, from Downtown Dogs Chicago, will return to drop the ceremonial first puck.
Tickets are available for tonight's game and can be purchased online, by calling 815-968-5222, at the BMO Harris Bank Center box office, or at any Ticketmaster location including Walmart. A special ticket offer for $15 upper bowl tickets is available for Pucks and Paws night, with $5 from each ticket going back to the shelters. To purchase, please call (815) 986-6465 and mention "Pucks and Paws."
Tonight's contest will be broadcast live locally on WIFR's Justice Network on 23.3 and online at AHLLive.com. Television coverage kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with the IceHogs Warm Up pre-game show. A free audio feed is available via WXRX.com or by using the new IceHogs app. For instant updates throughout the game, follow the IceHogs on Twitter (@goicehogs).
The IceHogs hold a 7-1-0-0 record versus the Wild this season, and a perfect 3-0-0-0 mark at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Rockford has only dropped one out of its five Friday home games during the campaign. With a win, the team would surpass its best-ever winning percentage at the 40-game mark, set at .675 in the 2007-08 season.
Rockford's balanced scoring attack has been contributed to as of late by Vince Hinostroza, who has a goal in each of the last two games. Pierre-Cedric Labrie has found the back of the net five times in his previous six games and leads the club overall with 12 goals.
Michael Leighton enters the weekend tied for the league lead in wins and needing only two more shutouts to tie Johnny Bower for the AHL all-time record of 45.
The IceHogs look to contain Iowa's scoring threats in Grayson Downing and Christoph Bertschy, who each have four points versus Rockford this season. Wild centerman Brett Sutter has only 10 points through 41 games, but four of his eight assists have come versus the IceHogs.
Next Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 23 versus Iowa Wild at 7 p.m. Rockford plays host to Iowa for the second consecutive night. After the game, fans are invited to come down to center ice to take their chance at scoring a goal in the Papa John's Pizza Shootout. Any fan that gets the puck in to the net from center ice will win a free pizza, while all participants will receive a prize compliments of Papa John's.
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