IceHogs Look to Sweep Their Way into Conference Semifinals
April 29, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill. - Holding a 2-0 series lead after starting the Calder Cup Playoffs on the road, the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs could hardly script a better start to their postseason. Now the IceHogs have up to three chances to dispatch the Texas Stars from the best-of-five Western Conference Quarterfinal series, beginning with Game 3 on Wednesday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m.
The BMO is preparing to host its first home playoff game since 2010, and plenty of fun is in store for the IceHogs faithful. The first 1,500 fans through the gates will receive a free cowbell courtesy of BMO Harris Bank, and guests can sign up to win a number of great prizes with the team's "Win On Wednesday" promotion.
The festivities begin well before puck drop at the Pre-Game Block Party presented by the IceHogs and Swedish American Hospital. Beginning at 4 p.m. fans can enjoy food, drink and inflatables in the area outside of the BMO Harris Bank Center box office. Additionally, fans can pay to take a sledgehammer to Rockford defenseman Zach Miskovic's old car with proceeds going to local tornado relief.
Tickets are available in person at the BMO Harris Bank Center box office and at any Ticketmaster location, as well as on the phone at 815-968-5222 and online at IceHogs.com. Those who can't take in Game 3 in person can watch live on 23.2 Antenna TV and online at AHLLive.com. Television coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with the IceHogs Warm Up Pre-Game Show. For in-game updates, follow the IceHogs on Twitter (@goicehogs).
Having pushed the defending Calder Cup champion Stars to the brink of elimination with victories in Games 1 and 2 over the weekend in Texas, Rockford returns home with a chance to close out their first-round series at the minimum. With Game 3 on Wednesday - and Games 4 and 5 if necessary - all taking place at the BMO, the IceHogs have given themselves a fantastic opportunity to win their first playoff series since the 2008 West Division Semifinals against the Houston Aeros.
But therein lies the challenge for Rockford. The IceHogs have dropped each of their past five AHL playoff contests in the Forest City, with their previous victory coming on May 7, 2008 against the Chicago Wolves. The IceHogs also have yet to sweep an opponent out of the playoffs in their club history, holding a 1-2 AHL record in series-clinching games.
Rockford - the only high seed in the Western Conference to head home with a 2-0 series lead - climbed within a win of the Conference Semifinals with 4-2 and 4-1 triumphs last weekend at Cedar Park Center. The IceHogs used a quick start in Saturday's Game 2 to grab an early 2-0 lead, and stayed ahead thanks to a 34-save outing from goaltender Michael Leighton.
Brandon Mashinter's three-point effort (1g-2a) paced Rockford offensively, while Leighton provided the saves needed to stifle any Texas comeback attempt. After two games, the 33-year-old's .957 save percentage (3rd) and 1.50 goals against average (5th) both rank in the top-five among playoff goalies.
With the two wins down south the IceHogs have extended their winning streak over the Stars to 10 games, spanning all six games the two teams have played this year, two last season and two in the 2012-13 season. But Rockford knows that the hardest game to win in a playoffs series is the last one, especially against the team that won it all the year prior.
After only having to stave off elimination once in their 2014 Calder Cup title run (Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals vs. Toronto), Texas is faced with the task of doing it three times on the road just to make it out of the first round. The Stars will need their top offensive contributors to find a way to break through Leighton and the IceHogs defense, something they weren't able to do in Games 1 and 2.
Travis Morin, Brendan Ranford, Justin Dowling and Greg Rallo - Texas' top four scorers this year - have combined for two assists and a -6 rating so far in the playoffs, after joining forces to the tune of 213 points in the regular season. Rookie defenseman Julius Honka and winger Curtis McKenzie lead the Stars with a goal and an assist apiece after the two games in Rockford.
Texas Head Coach Derek Laxdal once again has to make up his mind on which of his two goaltenders to give the nod for Game 3 and beyond if necessary. Jussi Rynnas stopped 33 of 36 shots faced in Friday's 4-2 defeat, before creasemate Jack Campbell turned aside 24 of 27 in Game 2.
Next Home Game: Friday, May 1 - Game 4 (If Necessary). Puck drops at 7 p.m. If need be, The IceHogs and Stars will return to the BMO for Game 4 on Friday. Head out to the arena early to join in another Pregame?Block Party presented by Swedish American Hospital.
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