AHL Rockford IceHogs

Rockford Faces Lake Erie in First of Back-To-Back Set

March 5, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Rockford, Ill. - The Rockford IceHogs (30-14-7-4) look to end their short skid versus the Lake Erie Monsters (31-17-5-5) tonight at the BMO Harris Bank Center at 7p.m.

Saturday's game is sold out but a limited number of tickets remain for Sunday's rematch. The first 2,500 fans into the building will receive a Scott Darling Bobblehead courtesy of Vienna Beef. A few lucky fans will receive autographed bobbleheads that have been randomly mixed into the giveaways.

Prior to Saturday's IceHogs game, the Rockford Area Police Department and the Rockford Fire Department will go head-to-head to find out which department reigns supreme on the ice. The game begins at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. To attend, patrons must have an IceHogs ticket for the contest later that night. The Blue Flame Grill and merchandise stand located on the concourse will be open during the contest.

Tonight's contest will be broadcast live locally on WIFR's Justice Network on 23.3 and online at AHLLive.com. Television coverage kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with the IceHogs Warm Up pre-game show. A free audio feed is available via WXRX.com or by using the new IceHogs app. For instant updates throughout the game, follow the IceHogs on Twitter (@goicehogs).

The IceHogs will be playing in front of a sold out crowd at the BMO Harris Bank Center for the eighth time, and look to grab a win and stay atop of the crowded Central Division standings. The last time these two teams met was in a back-to-back road set in Cleveland, as the Monsters stole the show in both contests, winning 5-4 in regulation on Feb 26 and 3-2 in overtime on Feb 27.

Rockford has been led by a number of different scorers lately, as Tanner Kero, Mark McNeill, Vince Hinostroza, Ryan Hartman and Bryan Bickell have accounted for 21 of the IceHogs' last 32 goals. Bickell scored the lone goal on Wednesday against the Grand Rapids Griffins in the 2-1 overtime loss.

Kero leads the team in goals with 16 on the season, while Hinostroza and McNeill lead the team in points with 32 apiece.

Hartman leads all IceHogs in points versus the Monsters with four points (3-1-4) in four games this season, followed closely by Kero and Hinostroza with three each.

Tonight's game could see the debut of new IceHogs forward Matt Fraser and Goaltender Drew MacIntyre, who were both acquired at the NHL trade deadline.

NEXT HOME GAME: Sunday, March 6 vs Lake Erie. Rockford and Lake Erie will finish the final regular season game between the two clubs at the BMO Harris Bank Center for Autism Awareness Night. Fans will have the chance to bid in a silent auction on individual player baskets at the main concourse. There also will be a post-game skate with the team following the conclusion of the game.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2016


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