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IHL 2 Rockford IceHogs

Nearly 10,000 fans watch IceHogs during opening weekend

October 16, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


The 2006-07 United Hockey League season kicked off over the weekend and the Rockford IceHogs entertained nearly 10,000 fans during a two-game homestand. The Hogs, however, stumbled out of the gate dropping both contests at the Rockford MetroCentre. Rockford will look to get on track in Week 2 with two more games, including the first visit of the season from the rival Quad City Mallards and the club's first road game in Bloomington against the Prairie Thunder.

Friday, Oct. 13: Fort Wayne Komets 4 vs. Rockford IceHogs 2

Saturday, Oct. 14:

Chicago Hounds 4 vs. Rockford IceHogs 3

Transactions

-Francis Belanger (LW) Placed on non-roster spot

-Bryce Cockburn (RW) Placed on 21-Day IR

-Kaleb Betts (F) Placed on 7-Day IR

-Preston Mizzi (C) Placed on 14-Day IR

-Lee Jacobson (D) Placed on waivers

-Rob Voltera (LW) Placed on 10-Day IR

-Jason Ralph (F) Placed on non-roster spot

-Tom Zabkowicz (D) Placed on Team Suspension

-Nathan Lutz (D) Signed to contract for 2006-07 season

-Tim Wedderburn (D) Re-assigned from Chicago (AHL)

-Jason Guerriero (RW) Re-assigned from Milwaukee (AHL)

Bacon Bits:

Winger Chaz Johnson led the IceHogs offense in Week 1 with three goals.

Rockford set an opening night team record with 53 shots on goal against Fort Wayne.

The IceHogs drew 9,415 fans during an Opening Weekend that featured two games.

Rockford is 0-2-0 for only the second time in club history. The only other 0-2-0 start came during the 2000-01 season.

The Hogs began the season 2-for-23 on the power play.

On Saturday, Chicago netted two shorthanded goals against the Hogs at the MetroCentre. Over the past two seasons combined, Rockford has allowed only six shorthanded goals at home.

Rockford was haunted by former IceHogs players over the weekend as Fort Wayne's J.C. Ruid and the Hounds Steve Cygan, Maris Ziedins and Rod Aldoff combined to score 3g-3a-6pts and goalie Marty Magers made 37 saves in a 4-3 Chicago win.

After opening the season with two home games, Rockford will play seven of the next nine on the road.

Rockford's first four games are against all four of the club's Western Conference foes.

Hot Hog Week 1:

Winger Chaz Johnson was one of the IceHogs bright spots during Rockford's opening weekend. Johnson, a second-year pro, netted three goals in the first two games for the IceHogs

Upcoming Games:

Friday, Oct. 20 vs. Quad City Mallards. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The IceHogs archrival visit's the MetroCentre for the first time this season. The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive IceHogs Poster #1 courtesy of Pepsi, Medicine Man, Johnson Press, Rockford Register Star and Jim Orlando Photography.

Saturday, October 21 at Bloomington Prairie Thunder. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Rockford opens the road portion of the 2006-07 regular season schedule with their first ever match-up with the Bloomington Praire Thunder.

The IceHogs Broadcasting Network: Rockford IceHogs fans can catch all IceHogs Regular and Post Season games on Rockford's Voice, WNTA-AM 1330. Fans can also watch and listen to the Hogs on the World Wide Web with the B2 Networks! Log on to the IceHogs Web site (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. Once again this season ESPN Radio "The Jock" 1380 AM will broadcast 20 Hogs games during the regular season. Check your local listings for game times and dates. Also, fans with Insight Cable television can tune in to Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action this season. The broadcast begins with the Pregame Show 30 minutes before the puck drops. Make sure to give your opinion during the Post-Game Call-In Show following each home game at (815) 874-8255.

HogTalk Returns Tonight At Shooter's North: Bud Light Lite HogTalk returns this week to Shooters North located at 7742 Forest Hills Road in Loves Park from 7-8 p.m. WXRX's Jim Stone and Double T host the weekly show and this week they will be joined by IceHogs skaters Robin Big Snake and Jesse Bennefield. IceHogs Head Coach Steve Martinson will be on hand to talk about the week that was and the week ahead. Come sign up for prizes, meet some IceHogs players and chat Hogs hockey at Shooters North!

Week 2 Schedule

Friday, Oct. 20: Quad City vs. Rockford, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 21: Rockford at Bloomington, 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 16, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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