Hogs' Road Trip Rolls into Des Moines
December 16, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Des Moines, Iowa - Winners of two out of three to begin their season-long six-game road swing, the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs (18-7-2-1) will try and start the second half of the trip with a win tonight at Wells Fargo Arena against the Iowa Wild (7-17-1-1).
Fans can catch the 7 p.m. faceoff by visiting the official road watch party at Savoy Lounge on Broadway and Alpine in Rockford. Join IceHogs staff for hockey trivia and the opportunity to win tickets and other prizes, all while watching the game.
Those unable to attend the road watch party can still catch the game online through AHLLive.com or locally on 23.2 Antenna TV, with coverage beginning at 6:30 with IceHogs Warm Up.
The league-leading IceHogs will begin the post-Jeremy Morin era on Tuesday, as their franchise leading goal-scorer was dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday in exchange for defenseman Tim Erixon. Morin tallied a power play goal in his last game in an IceHogs sweater, and his last in the Chicago Blackhawks organization, on Saturday, leaving behind a Rockford record of 81 goals in 208 career games for the IceHogs.
Morin's goal, along with three from Joakim Nordstrom, earned Rockford a split of their weekend series in Cleveland with the Lake Erie Monsters, and handed Lake Erie their first regulation loss in nine games. Saturday's 5-2 victory helped the IceHogs rebound from a 4-2 loss suffered the night before to open the doubleheader at Quicken Loans Arena.
Looking ahead to Tuesday's matchup, the IceHogs and the Wild might be on opposite ends of the league standings, but their previous meetings have been fraught with intensity. Rockford survived a three-goal rally from the Wild in their first meeting in Iowa on Nov. 6, needed overtime to win on Nov. 21, and broke open a tight game with four third-period tallies in their last meeting on Nov. 26, a 6-1 IceHogs victory.
It will be interesting to see if there is any carry-over from the previous matchup, a chippy affair that saw each side log three fighting majors, several game misconducts and over 45 minutes in penalties. Though the IceHogs and Wild are only in their second season playing against one another, a fierce rivalry is already apparent.
Rockford will once again be without Nordstrom, as the IceHog captain was recalled to Chicago on Monday for the third time this season. Iowa has also been effected by recent call-ups, as regulars Brett Sutter, Justin Falk and Christian Folin are all up in Minnesota.
Next Home Game: Friday, Dec. 26 vs. Iowa Wild. Puck drops at 7 p.m. The IceHogs return home from a six-game swing on the road to take on the Wild at the BMO. Fans 21-and-over can come out early for another Blues Flame Lounge Pre-Game Party, where they can enjoy free appetizers, live music and drink specials. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.
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