IHL 2 Rockford IceHogs

Rockford clinches playoff spot

Published on March 28, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


The Rockford IceHogs pushed an unbeaten streak to seven games and clinched a playoff spot during Week 24 of the United Hockey League regular season. With only two weeks remaining in the 2004-05 campaign, the Hogs look to move up the playoff standings with home ice advantage still in reach. Week 25 features four games in five nights including Friday's match-up with the Flint Generals at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Thursday, March 24: Quad City Mallards 4 vs. Rockford IceHogs 3 (so)

Friday, March 25: Rockford IceHogs 2 at Fort Wayne Komets 3 (so)

Saturday, March 26: Rockford IceHogs 4 at

Kalamazoo Wings 6: The Rockford IceHogs seven game unbeaten streak came to an end as the Kalamazoo Wings beat them 6-4 at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Wings took control of the sea-saw battle with four second period goals. K-zoo jumped out to the 1-0 lead at 8:40 of the first period when winger Mike Manley deflected in his 11 marker of the season. The Hogs tied the game just 30 seconds later after Terry Harrison fired home the equalizer past goalie Joel Martin. Rockford took their only lead of the game after center Alex Kim tallied short-handed. The Wings however, responded with a pair of goals to grab the lead back. Defenseman Daniel Carriere blasted home a goal at 7:41 of the second period to tie the score at 2-2, before Shawn Fischer gave Kalamazoo the lead back at 12:52. Rockford rookie center Miguel Lafleche responded however with a 5-on-3 power play goal at 14:19. But Kalamazoo grabbed the lead right back when winger Andrew Luciuk tallied twice, at 15:44 and 18:56, to take a 5-3 lead into the second intermission. The IceHogs made things interesting in the third period after winger Brandon Segal cut the lead to 5-4, 3:00 into the third. The Wings put the game out of reach however, when Sean Starke finished off the scoring at 7:58.

Transactions

-Center J.C. Ruid was placed on the 7-Day Injured Reserve on Monday, March 21.

-Defenseman Eric Skaug was placed on Team Suspension on Sunday, March 27.

Bacon Bits:

The IceHogs had their seven game unbeaten streak come to an end on Saturday in Kalamazoo. The streak was the second longest of the season.

Rookie Miguel Lafleche has a point in nine of his last 12 games. During his hot streak, Lafleche has 2g-14a-16pts.

The IceHogs set a new franchise record on Friday night with their ninth shootout loss of the season.

Rockford clinched their third playoff appearance in six seasons last week.

The Hogs have scored a power play goal in seven straight games, their longest streak of the season.

The IceHogs are 9-for-45 during the past seven games on the power play, a percentage of 20.0%.

Center Olivier Proulx has a point in seven of his last eight games. Proulx has 2g-8a-10pts during his streak.

Hot Hog: Week 24

Center Miguel Lafleche: The rookie pivot man continues to be one of the club's most consistent scorers in the second half of the season. Lafleche had 1g-3a-4pts in three games this week. Lafleche now has a point in nine of 12 games overall and a point in each of his last four games.

Upcoming Games:

Wednesday, March 30 at Quad City Mallards. The game begins at 7:05 p.m. The battle for home ice continues for the IceHogs when they travel to Quad City to take on the rival Mallards. The Hogs and Mallards have two more scheduled games on the 2004-05 schedule

Friday, April 1 vs. Flint Generals. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs and Generals match-up for the final time this season. The first 1,000 kids to the game 12-and under will receive a Hammer Hog Bobblehead Doll from Members Alliance Credit Union and 97ZOK. Also come and celebrate Hammy Hogs birthday! Doors will open at 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 2 at Port Huron Beacons. Game time is set for 6:05 p.m. The Hogs and Beacons wrap up their 2004-05 season series in Port Huron. It's the final meeting ever between the two clubs because the Beacons will relocate next season to Roanoke, Virginia.

Sunday, April 3 at Muskegon Fury. The puck drops at 1:05 p.m. A battle of two of the top teams in the UHL. Rockford and Muskegon complete their season series on Sunday with a showdown at the L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan.

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.

No Budweiser HogTalk At The Olympic Tavern This Week:

There is no Budweiser HogTalk tonight at the Olympic Tavern tonight due to the Runt's Club Kids Hockey Clinic at Carlson Ice Arena! 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. The show will return next Monday, April 4.

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.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 28, 2005


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