AHL Rockford IceHogs

It's Make Or Break Time For The Hogs

Published on March 20, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Des Moines, Iowa- With seven games in the next 10 days beginning tonight, the Rockford IceHogs probably won't lock themselves into a playoff spot, but they can drop out of the playoff picture if they're not careful. Tonight the IceHogs begin the busy playoff push in Des Moines against the Iowa Chops at the Wells Fargo Arena at 7:05 p.m.

Rockford currently sits outside of the West Division playoff picture looking in but is just one point behind the Chicago Wolves for the fourth and final spot with two games at hand. Overall, Rockford has 13 games remaining on the 2008-09 regular season schedule and nine of them are against teams fighting for their playoff lives.

Entering play tonight, the IceHogs are back to as full strength as they possibly can be for the remainder of the regular season. With winger Pascal Pelletier back in the line up, the IceHogs will have their top three point scores (including Tim Brent and Jack Skille) on the ice together for the first time since Feb. 25 at Peoria.

Rockford went 3-3-0-1 with Brent, Pelletier and Skille bouncing back and forth between Rockford and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Tonight's game is the fifth and final in Des Moines between the IceHogs and Chops and ninth of ten on the season. After going 4-1-0-0 in their first five games at the Wells Fargo Arena, Rockford has dropped the last three to the Chops in Des Moines. Rockford is 4-4-0-0 in eight games against Iowa this season.

Petri Kontiola will also face off against Rockford for the first time since the Blackhawks dealt him to the Anaheim Ducks organization on March 4 at the NHL trade deadline. Kontiola, Rockford's all-time leading AHL point scorer, was leading the IceHogs with 53 points at the time of the trade. The IceHogs received defenseman Logan Stephenson in return.

To listen to tonight's game tune into 1330 AM, WNTA, 1380 AM, WTJK or on-line at www.icehogs.com. The game can be viewed on the Web as well through AHL Live for just $7 on www.icehogs.com or at SportsPage in Rockford located on Alpine and Broadway.

Next Home Game: Saturday, March 21 vs. Manitoba Moose. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Rockford IceHogs welcome the first-place Moose into the Forest City for the final of two visits in 2008-09. The first 2,000 fans can pick up a replica Goalie Mask Bank courtesy of MembersAlliance Credit Union.

Stanley Cup Fact: The most famous trophy in the sporting world, the Stanley Cup was donated by Lord Stanley of Preston, Governor General of Canada, in 1892 and first presented in 1893. See the Stanley Cup at the Rockford IceHogs game on Saturday, April 4. For tickets call the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office at 815-968-5222.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2009


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