Rockford Ready for Redemption against Grand Rapids
April 3, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill. - Coming off of one of their ugliest losses of the year, the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs (39-21-5-2) look to rebound in Friday night's rematch against the Grand Rapids Griffins (41-19-6-2) at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The final regular season meeting between the top two teams in the Midwest Division is slated for a 7 p.m. start.
With the weather beginning to warm up, the IceHogs are celebrating Golf Rockford Night at the BMO. A variety of golf exhibits and vendors will be set up around the concourse for fans to visit and participate in, while getting the chance to win prizes and golf passes thanks to Rockford Park District. Additionally, the first 1,000 fans 21-and-over will receive a free IceHogs "Jeff cap" courtesy of Bud Light.
Adults over 21 can come out to the BMO early for another Blues Flame Lounge Pre-Game Party. Guests can take advantage of free appetizers, drink specials and live music from Ron Holm. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.
For tickets visit the BMO Harris Bank Center box office or any Ticketmaster location, call 815-968-5222 or visit IceHogs.com. The clash between the IceHogs and Griffins will also be broadcast live locally on 23.2 Antenna TV and online at AHLLive.com. For in-game updates follow the IceHogs on Twitter (@goicehogs).
The IceHogs return home licking the wounds of a rough start to a home-and-home doubleheader against Grand Rapids. The Griffins padded their lead atop the division with a dominant 6-1 win on Wednesday night at Van Andel Arena. It was Rockford's largest margin of defeat this season, and only the second time they have given up over five goals in a single game.
Grand Rapids scored twice on netminder Michael Leighton in the first period, and once more a minute into the second, becoming the second straight team to chase the Rockford starting goalie. Antti Raanta turned aside 21 of 24 shots after coming in relief. Raanta lasted only 24 minutes back on Saturday when the IceHogs fell 4-2 to the Utica Comets in New York.
Sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference and five points behind the Griffins for the Midwest lead, the IceHogs hope another extended stay at the BMO is the remedy for their two-game skid. Friday marks the start of a three-game homestand; continuing on Saturday against Rochester and ending with a final visit from Milwaukee on Tuesday. Rockford has been exceptional at home over the past month, showing a 5-0-1-0 record in their last six games in the Forest City. The IceHogs are unbeaten in their last four games in their building, after sweeping a week-long stretch from March 18 to March 25.
However, Grand Rapids has also enjoyed recent success at the BMO. The Griffins have won two of the three games in Rockford this season, including a 3-2 overtime win in their last visit on March 7. The IceHogs hold a 3-3-1-0 record in the head-to-head series with one game left to play.
Goaltender Tom McCollum has played a large part in the Griffins' current three game winning streak. The five-year veteran turned aside 45 shots - including all 21 he faced in the first period - on his way to picking up his 17th win of the season on Wednesday. Over his last three starts, McCollum has stopped 120 of 124 shots faced, good for a .968 save percentage.
Up front, the IceHogs will need to contain Grand Rapids winger Landon Ferraro (27g-15a), who has scored goals in four straight games, including a three-point performance on Wednesday at Van Andel Arena. Center Andy Miele (23g-40a) moved into second place in AHL scoring with two goals against the IceHogs last time out.
While both teams were idle, the Griffins were still able to clinch their spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs on Thursday night. Losses from Hamilton and Adirondack were enough to earn Grand Rapids a place in the postseason for the third straight year. With a magic number of six heading into Friday's game, the IceHogs could potentially have their first playoff berth since 2010 locked down by the end of the weekend.
In other news a pair of former collegiate players could make their professional debuts with Rockford this weekend. The IceHogs signed forwards Vince Hinostroza out of Notre Dame and Tanner Kero from Michigan Tech to amateur tryout contracts over the past week.
Next Home Game: Saturday, April 4, vs. Rochester Americans. Game starts at 7 p.m. The IceHogs host the Americans for the only time this season on Garden Gnome Giveaway Night. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will leave with an IceHogs garden gnome courtesy of Riverside Dental. Rockford is also teaming up with BMO Harris Bank for their annual sock drive. Fans who bring a pair of new socks to donate will receive a ticket to a future game.
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American Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2015
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