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AHL Rockford IceHogs

Rockford Closes In On Calder Cup Playoff Berth

April 6, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


With two wins during Week 26 the Rockford IceHogs have reduced their magic number to clinch a Calder Cup Playoff spot to just one point. Rockford picked up a pair of key road wins last week and raised over $40,000 in the team's 10th Annual Jersey Auction for charity on Saturday night.

Week 26 Results

Wednesday, April 1: Rockford 5 at Lake Erie 2

Friday, April 3: Rockford 3 at Syracuse 2 (SO)

Saturday, April 4: Milwaukee 4 vs. Rockford 1

Week 27 Schedule

Wednesday, April 8 at Quad City, 7:05 p.m.

Friday, April 10 vs. Peoria, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 11 at Chicago, 7 p.m.

Bacon Bits:

-The annual Jersey Auction Night raised $40,355 for the IceHogs Charitable Foundation on Saturday.

-Winger Jack Skille's jersey brought in the most with a winning bid of $3,600.

-The Jersey Auction has collected in a ten-year total of nearly $550,000 for charity.

-Rockford's 6,229 fans in attendance on Saturday was the largest crowd of the season, breaking a previous mark of 5,994.

-It was the sixth sellout of 2008-09, an IceHogs franchise record.

-Rockford's shootout win on Friday gives them an 11-6 record in overtime/shootout games and a 10-6 record in shootouts.

-Defenseman Brian Connelly scored his first professional goal on the power play in the first period on Saturday.

-Left Wing Jeff Christian scored his first AHL point since April 12, 2006 with a goal on Friday and first goal in the AHL since the 1993-94 season with the Albany River Rats.

-Christian's last regular season goal came on April 2, 1994 against the Springfield Indians when he recorded a hat trick in the River Rats 8-5 win.

-Christian's last AHL playoff goal came on April 15, 1994 against Olaf Kolzig and the Portland Pirates.

-Left Wing Rob Klinkhammer recorded three points (1g-2a) for the second time this season on Wednesday.

-He has four multi-point games in 2008-09.

-With one more win, the IceHogs will record their fifth straight 40-win season.

-With one point, the IceHogs will capture their fifth straight playoff appearance and second straight in the AHL.

Hot Hog Week 26:

Rockford's team captain Tim Brent led all IceHogs skaters in scoring with four points, all assists, as the IceHogs finished 2-1-0-0 in Week 26. Brent recorded his team leading 17th multi-point game of the season on Friday. He has seven assists in his last eight games and with one more point will surpass his career high of 61 points set last season.

Upcoming Games:

Wednesday, April 8 at Quad City Flames: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs begin the final week of the 2008-09 regular season on Wednesday when they travel to Moline for the final time to face off against the Flames. The game is the eighth in the season series between the West Division rivals. A win by Rockford or a shootout or overtime loss will wrap up a Calder Cup Postseason berth and will eliminate the Flames.

Friday, April 10 vs. Peoria Rivermen. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. Rockford faces off against Peoria in the clubs' 2008-09 regular season home finale. The first 1,000 fans to the game will pick up a Patrick Kane Bobblehead doll and the first 2,500 fans will receive an IceHogs Team Photo courtesy of Johnson Press. Also, the IceHogs will present their 2008-09 Team Awards.

Saturday, April 11 at Chicago Wolves. Game time is 7 p.m. Rockford will end the Chicago Wolves season when the West Division foes battle at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont for the fifth and final time in 2008-09. The game is the tenth overall this season and Rockford carries a 6-3-0-0 record against Chicago into the regular season finale.

The IceHogs Broadcasting Network:

Rockford IceHogs fans can catch all of the IceHogs regular and post-season games on the Hogs flagship radio station Rockford's Voice, WNTA-AM 1330 and 30 regular season games on ESPN Radio 1380-AM, WTJK. Fans can also watch and listen to the Hogs on the World Wide Web with AHL Live! Visit the IceHogs Web site (icehogs.com) and click on the "click here to watch the AHL Live" icon, and for just $6, you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Comcast 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 Comcast Post-Game Call-In Show following each game at (815) 874-8255.

Hog Talk Finale Tonight At Cousin's Bar and Grill:

The season finale of Bud Light Hog Talk happens tonight at Cousin's Bar and Grill. Join Jim Stone from 6-7 p.m. at Cousin's as he chats IceHogs hockey with Hogs Head Coach Bill Peters. Tonight's show will also feature forward Jeff Christian and goalie coach Wade Flaherty. Stop out to Cousin's, located on the corner of East State St. and Perryville in Rockford, and take advantage of some great food and Bud Light specials. If you can't make it out to Cousin's, tune into 1330 AM, WNTA.

Where to Watch the IceHogs:

IceHogs fans can now catch every IceHogs regular season game live on TV! Every IceHogs home game during the 2008-09 season can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel-57. When the IceHogs are on the road log onto the IceHogs official team Web site, www.icehogs.com, and watch the IceHogs through AHL Live for just $6. Fans can also stop out to the Sports Page, located on Broadway near Alpine Road in Rockford, and watch the IceHogs when the team is on the road.

Tickets Now On Sale!

IceHogs individual game tickets are now on sale! Call (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for any IceHogs regular season game during the 2008-09 season. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office in downtown Rockford, at Hogs Headquarters inside CherryVale Mall or on the Web at www.metrocentre.com. Tickets start at just $10.

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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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