IceHogs perfect five for five during week 23
March 21, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
The Rockford IceHogs played their busiest portion of the their 2004-05 regular season schedule during Week 23, and they were perfect. The IceHogs played five games and won all of them, taking back the top spot in the UHL's Western Division. Week 24 is a bit lighter, but features three key match-ups. The Hogs host Quad City Thursday morning before hitting the road for showdowns in Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo.
Monday, March 14: Kansas City Outlaws 2 vs Rockford IceHogs 5
Wednesday, March 16: Rockford IceHogs 2 at Missouri River Otters 1
Friday, March 18: Richmond RiverDogs 0 vs. Rockford IceHogs 6
Saturday, March 19: Port Huron Huron 2 vs. Rockford IceHogs 3 (so): In front of the largest crowd of the season, the Rockford IceHogs knocked off the Port Huron Beacons 3-2 in a shootout in front of 6,130 at the Rockford MetroCentre on Saturday. The win was the fourth in a row for the Hogs as they moved into a tie for first place with the Fort Wayne Komets. Winger Chris Gobert accounted for both of Rockford's goals, and he got things started with a power play goal at 7:25 of the first period. Gobert then extended Rockford's lead to 2-0 when he blasted his second marker of the night past Kory Cooper at 11:12 of the second period. Port Huron battled back, however, and forced a shootout. Winger Kyle Sheen put the Beacons on the board at 15:21 of the second frame before the UHL's leading goal scorer, David Beauregard tied it 2:33 into the third period. In the shootout, goaltender Michel Robinson turned away all five Port Huron shooters, while defenseman Rod Aldoff was the only Hogs skater to tally for Rockford, giving them the win.
Sunday, March 20: Rockford IceHogs 5 at Port Huron Beacons 2: A five game week meant five wins for the Rockford IceHogs, as the club knocked off the Port Huron Beacons 5-2 at the McMorran Place Arena in Port Huron, Michigan in the back end of a home-and-home series. The win moved Rockford back a top the UHL's Western Division. Rockford jumped out to a 2-0 lead heading to the first intermission after goals by winger Brent Sullivan at 17:04 and Jason Ralph at 18:25. Port Huron cut the lead in half on the power play when winger David Beauregard tallied at 2:44 of the second period. Rockford got the goal back however, when center Olivier Proulx scored a late 5-on-3 power play goal at 19:33. The Beacons wouldn't go away in the third, as center Aaron Brand made it a one-goal game after beating Hogs goalie Michel Robinson at 4:06. But Rockford would pull away after Proulx notched his second power play goal of the game at 15:05 and winger J.F. Dufour scored a short-handed empty netter at 18:44. The Hogs out-shot Port Huron 33-23 in the contest. IceHogs defenseman Nathan Lutz and Port Huron winger Joey Sewell were each given two-fighting majors and three game misconducts, a total of 40 penalty minutes each, at 16:33 of the third period. Lutz's 42 PIM's is a new franchise single game record.
Transactions
-Goaltender Michel Robinson was loaned to the Milwaukee Admirals on Monday, March 14.
-Milwaukee assigned goaltender Seamus Kotyk to the IceHogs on Monday, March 14.
-Milwaukee assigned winger Brandon Segal on Monday, March 14.
-Winger Eric Labelle was loaned to the Utah Grizzlies on Wednesday, March 16.
-Kotyk was returned to Milwaukee on Thursday, March 17.
-Robinson was returned to Rockford on Friday, March 18.
Bacon Bits:
The IceHogs played a season high five games last week and won all five of the them. The five-game winning streak ties a season high.
Defenseman Nathan Lutz set a team record Sunday, recording 42 penalty minutes in one game against the Port Huron Beacons.
In five games last week, the Hogs held their opponents to only seven goals.
The IceHogs have now out-shot their opponents in 11 straight games.
Goaltender Michel Robinson picked up his IceHogs franchise record sixth shutout on Friday, when he beat Richmond 6-0.
Center Olivier Proulx tied an IceHogs franchise record on Sunday with his sixth game-winning goal of the season.
Winger Jason Ralph tied a franchise record on Friday with his third short-handed goal of the season.
The IceHogs had a season high 6,130 fans in attendance on Saturday against Port Huron.
Rockford defenseman Rod Aldoff has three shootout game-winning goals this season. The Hogs have a total of six shootout wins.
Hot Hog: Week 23
Winger J.F. Dufour: Dufour continues to pace the IceHogs in scoring and his consistent point production continued during Week 23. In five games, Dufour had two goals, three assists and had a plus minus rating of +5
Upcoming Games:
Thursday, March 24 vs. Quad City Mallards. The puck drops at 11:05 a.m. Not only is it the final meeting of the regular season with the Mallards, the game is the first ever School Day game with the IceHogs ! The IceHogs welcome six graders from around the Rockford Public School District. The game is sponsored by McDonald's, Cadbury Adams, YMCA of the Rock River Valley and the Rockford Park District.
Friday, March 25 at Fort Wayne Komets. Game time is 7:05 p.m. In a battle between the top two teams in the UHL's Western Division, the Hogs and Komets mix it up for the final time during the regular season.
Saturday, March 26 at Kalamazoo Wings. Game time is set for 6:35 p.m. The Hogs and Wings renew their rivalry at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The game could be a playoff preview as both team zero in on the post season.
Introducing the IceHogs Broadcasting Network:
Rockford IceHogs fans can catch all 80 IceHogs regular season games on Rockford's Voice, 1330 AM, WNTA. Fans can now also watch and listen to the Hogs on the world wide web with the B2 Networks! Log onto the IceHogs website (icehogs.com) and click on the "click here to watch the game live" icon, and for just $6, you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Insight Cable television can tune into Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action this season. The broadcast begins with the SBC Pregame Show 20 minutes before the puck drops and make sure to give your opinion during the Seven11 Productions Post Game Call In Show following each home game at (815) 874-8255.
Budweiser HogTalk At The Olympic Tavern Returns This Week:
Budweiser HogTalk tonight at the Olympic Tavern returns! The show, hosted by WXRX's Jim Stone and Double T, runs from 6:30-7:30 p.m. each Monday and features IceHogs Head Coach Steve Martinson. This week IceHogs players Brandon Segal and Miguel Lafleche will join Martinson to talk Hogs hockey.
Playoff Tickets Available For Season Ticket Holders:
Season tickets holders can now reserve their 2004-05 Colonial Cup Playoff tickets! Season ticket holders can reserve their seats by logging onto centreevents.com, stopping by the Season Ticket Holder booth at any IceHogs home game or by contacting the IceHogs office at (815) 986-6465.for the upcoming post season. Individual playoff tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 8.
Season Ticket Renewals:
Season ticket holders can also now renew their season tickets for the 2005-06 season! Season ticket holders can save up to 10% off of their ticket packages by paying in full by Friday, April 15. Fans can renew their tickets at the season ticket holder table at any remaining IceHogs home game, at the IceHogs office (202 West State Street in downtown Rockford) or over the phone at (815) 986-6465.
Week 24 Schedule
Thursday, March 24 vs. Quad City, 11:05 a.m.
Friday, March 25 at Fort Wayne, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 26 at Kalamazoo, 6:35 p.m.
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 21, 2005
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- RiverDogs weekly notes - Richmond RiverDogs
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