IceHogs Host Griffins in Annual Teddy Bear Toss
December 12, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill. - Rockford IceHogs (17-5-1-2) will face the Grand Rapids Griffins (11-8-0-1) for the third time this season and first time this year the BMO Harris Bank Center tonight at 7 p.m.
The IceHogs will host a teddy bear toss tonight; fans are encouraged to bring new teddy bears and stuffed animals wrapped in plastic bags to throw on the ice after the first IceHogs goal. The teddy bears will be collected and donated to local hospitals and charities.
A limited number of tickets remain for tonight's game and can be purchased online, at the BMO Harris Bank Center box office, or at any Ticketmaster location including Walmart.
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. For instant updates throughout the game, follow the IceHogs on Twitter (@goicehogs).
Player's wives and girlfriends, otherwise known as the "Better Halves", have teamed up to help Healing Pathways - Cancer Resource Center. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase mystery pucks signed by various IceHogs players, along with Blackhawks skaters such as Marian Hossa, Brent Seabrook, Corey Crawford, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Toews. Pucks will be sold on the concourse for $15 each, or two for $25 with all proceeds going to Healing Pathways.
After the game, fans are invited to come down to the ice to take a picture with P.C. Labrie dressed as Santa, and other IceHogs players who will be starring as elves, for individual Christmas photos. The cost is $5 and fans can enter at the bottom of the escalators following the game. There will not be a photographer provided, therefore fans must provide their own picture taking device. Proceeds of the photoshoot will go to the IceHogs Charitable Foundation to help fund future team community-based initiatives.
Both squads enter tonight's contest sporting excellent record of late. Grand Rapids has won each of their last nine games while Rockford has won five-in-a-row and taken eight of their last nine matches.
Jake Dowell remained hot in last night's 2-1 victory over the Iowa Wild, scoring the game-winning goal and extending his point streak to five games (4g-5a). Garret Ross also extended his point streak to five games (3g-3a) in the victory with a goal and an assist.
Grand Rapids used the last matchup with Rockford as a springboard. Despite entering the game sporting a 2-8-0-1 record, the Griffins took down the IceHogs by a 3-2 score to begin their ascent from eigth place in the Central Division to fourth.
Rockford will look to get on the board early, as the Griffins have struck first in 78% of the matchups between the two teams in the last five years. The IceHogs are 11-1-1-0 when scoring first this season, 8-0-0-0 when leading after the first period, and 14-0-0-0 when entering the third period in front of their opponent.
Next Home Game: Monday, Dec. 21 vs. Milwaukee Admirals at 7 p.m. The first 2,500 fans through the turnstiles will receive a Teuvo Teravainen Bobblehead thanks to Dental Dimensions. It's also another "Winning Weekday." Every time the IceHogs win at home on a weekday, each fan in attendance will get a free ticket to the next weekday game. Fans can also enjoy $2 beers, sodas, hot dogs, and companion tickets.
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