AHL Rockford IceHogs

Hogs Look to Scare Monsters Tonight at the BMO

Published on February 8, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Rockford, Ill.- Chicago may have spoiled Rockford's season-high, seven game point streak with a 4-2 win last Friday at the Allstate Arena, but the IceHogs have won four straight games at home dating back to Jan. 16, and are looking to keep that streak going tonight against the Lake Erie Monsters at 7:05 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Tonight is another Taco Bell Dollar Day, and fans can take advantage by purchasing beers, hot dogs, soft drinks and companion tickets for just one dollar each.

For tickets to tonight's game, call (815) 968-5222, visit icehogs.com or stop by the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.

Tonight's game can be heard on 100.5 NTA FM, 1330 AM WNTA, 1380 AM ESPN and www.nta.fm beginning at 6:35 p.m. with the U.S. Cellular Pregame Show. The game can be seen live on Comcast channel 57 or on the web through ahllive.com.

In their first matchup on Dec. 2, Lake Erie tallied three goals in the second period to propel them to a 4-1 win over Rockford at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Tonight's contest is the second of four meetings between the two teams and the final one in Rockford. The IceHogs and Monsters will not see each other again until April 6 and 7 for back-to-back games in Lake Erie.

Peter LeBlanc notched the lone IceHogs goal against the Monsters on Dec. 2 and has tallied four markers in his last five games after enduring a nine-game scoreless streak. The centerman has 16 goals on the season, second only to Brandon Pirri's 19. Goaltender Alexander Salak is expected to be back in the lineup tonight after missing two months with a lower-body injury. Salak was injured during the Dec. 2 contest against Lake Erie.

Next Home Game: Friday, Feb. 10 vs. Chicago Wolves. Rockford and Chicago meet for the ninth time this season and the first of back-to-back contests between the Midwest Division rivals at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. It is also an Illinois Lottery Cup game. IceHogs fans can purchase a Family Four Pack for the game, which includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for just $49.

For every goal that the Rockford IceHogs score in 2011-12, IceHogs head coach Ted Dent will make a donation to children's cancer research. BMO Harris Bank will also make a donation for every goal to the "BMO Harris Bank Goals For Grades"

Rockford IceHogs Lake Erie Monsters

Record 20-22-1-4 -- 45pts 21-22-2-2 -- 46 pts

Past 10 Games 7-2-0-1 5-3-1-1

Streak 0-1-0-0 2-0-0-1

Home/Away 10-11-0-1 10-12-1-1

PP (Overall) 35/218 (16.1%) 33/191 (17.3)

PK (Overall) 47/207 (77.3%) 34/216 (82.9)

Leading Scorer Pirri 19-26-45 Brophey 12-15-27

Bacon Bits:

Bad Fortune Continues at Allstate Arena: Rockford had their season-long seven game point streak (6-0-0-1) come to an end on Friday in Chicago after a 4-2 loss to the Wolves. In addition, Carter Hutton had his personal six-game streak without a loss (5-0-0-1) snapped, and Brandon Pirri had his team season-high seven-game point streak end on Friday, totaling 3g-5a-8pts.

Getting Help from the Vet:"ˆDefenseman Brian Fahey chipped in an assist against the Wolves on Friday and now has a point in three-straight games (1g-2a). The veteran d-man has 2g-13a-15pts with the IceHogs this season, and seven of his 15 points came in the month of January (1g-6a).

Breaking a Bad Streak: Center Peter LeBlanc registered his 16th goal of the season on his 24th birthday Friday night and now has five lamp-lighters in his last four games. LeBlanc's 16 tallies are second on the IceHogs, only behind Pirri's 19 goals. The centerman broke a nine-game scoreless streak with two goals on Jan. 26 in Charlotte. LeBlanc also notched the only IceHogs goal in the first meeting against Lake Erie on Dec. 2.

Back Home Again at the BMO:"ˆRockford is riding a season-high four-game home winning streak, and beginning tonight, the IceHogs will play their next four contests at the BMO Harris Bank Center and seven of their next ten overall through Feb. 29. Carter Hutton has been in goal for all four wins and has a record of 6-1-1 at the BMO Harris Bank Center this season.

Second-Year Success:"ˆWinger Ben Smith has points in 12 of his last 17 contests with Rockford dating back to Dec. 14, totaling 6g-8a-14pts. Smith earned his 12th helper of the season on Friday, matching his rookie assist total through 26 games played with the IceHogs in 2011-12 compared to 63 a season ago.

Salak Healthy Again:"ˆGoalie Alexander Salak is expected to return to action this week after being sidelined for two months with a lower-body injury. The Strakonice, Czech Republic native started against Lake Erie on Dec. 2, but left early in the second period and has not seen game action since. On Sunday, the Chicago Blackhawks reassigned Alec Richards to the ECHL's Toledo Walleye in anticipation of Salak's return.

Pros Without "Cons:" Since defenseman Brian Connelly was traded to the Calgary organization on Jan. 27, the IceHogs blueline corps have stepped up to pitch in offensively. Brian Fahey (1g-2a), Joe Lavin (1g-2a), Dylan Olsen (1a), and Ben Youds (1g) have all registered points in the three games since Connelly's departure. Rockford is 2-1-0-0 as a team since losing the All-Star D-man.

Familiar Faces: Fans may recognize a few familiar faces wearing a Lake Erie sweater during tonight's tilt. Defensemen Mike Brennan (08-10) and Danny Richmond (07-08, 09-10), along with forwards Evan Brophey (07-11) and Hugh Jessiman (10-11) all have worn an IceHogs uniform. Brophey holds an IceHogs all-time record for games played with 299. Jessiman leads all Monsters' skaters with 20 goals in 41 games this season.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2012


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