Rockford Regroups for Monster Matinee
December 7, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill. - Not even a full day after having their Teddy Bear Toss night spoiled with a shutout loss, the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs (16-6-1-1) have a chance to rebound in front of their home crowd. The IceHogs host the red-hot Lake Erie Monsters this afternoon in a matinee affair at the BMO Harris Bank Center, with a face-off scheduled for 4 p.m.
In addition to the game, Sunday is Pucks and Paws Night at the BMO, as local humane societies will be on hand with pets available for adoption. There will also be raffles and giveaways for fans looking to grab a few goodies for their four-legged friends at home.
Tickets are available in person at the BMO Harris Bank Center box office or at any Ticketmaster location, as well as online at IceHogs.com or by calling 815-968-5222. Those unable to attend can catch the action locally on 23.2 Antenna TV and online at AHLLive.com or by Following the IceHogs on Twitter (@GoIceHogs).
Saturday night was a rough one for Rockford, as the IceHogs failed to score against a stifling Grand Rapids Griffins defense - much to the dismay of the large home crowd which was ready to fling their plush cargo onto the ice surface. Rockford had their chances throughout the night but could not crack goaltender Jared Coreau, who picked up his first AHL shutout with 31 saves in the 4-0 Griffins victory.
The loss was the second scoreless outing for the IceHogs this season, along with a 1-0 shootout defeat in Toronto on Oct. 19. It was also the first time Rockford was held off the scoreboard at home since a 4-0 loss to the Peoria Rivermen on March 16, 2013. As a result, defensemen Ville Pokka and T.J. Brennan each saw their four-game point scoring streaks come to an end.
Rockford's path does not get any easier on Sunday afternoon, as they prepare to face an upstart Lake Erie squad that appears to be turning a corner recently. After beginning their season 4-7-1-2, the Monsters are 5-1-1-0 in their last seven games, including a two-game sweep over the Chicago Wolves earlier this week. Currently the Colorado Avalanche affiliate is tied with Grand Rapids for fourth in the Midwest Division with 22 points, with both squads just sitting four points back of the third place Milwaukee Admirals.
On the ice Lake Erie is welcoming back the services of a few players returning from recent stints in the NHL, in top scorers Colin Smith (6g-8a) and Mike Sgarbossa (3g-9a), as well as goaltender Calvin Pickard (2.55 GAA, .922 SV%). Prior to his reassignment on Dec. 2, Pickard appeared in five straight games with the Avalanche, picking up three victories.
The IceHogs and Monsters have played each other tight through their two previous contests this season. Rockford used a third-period outburst to break open a 2-2 tie on Oct. 26, and did it again to erase a 4-1 deficit and force overtime in a thrilling 5-4 win on Nov. 4. Sunday will be the third-consecutive meeting in the Forest City, with the series shifting to Cleveland for the next four, beginning next Friday.
Next Home Game: Friday, Dec. 26 vs. Iowa Wild. Puck drops at 7 p.m. The IceHogs return home from a six-game swing on the road to take on the Wild at the BMO. Fans 21-and-over can come out early to for another Blues Flame Lounge Pre-Game Party, where they can enjoy free appetizers, live music and drink specials. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.
American Hockey League Stories from December 7, 2014
- Canadiens Assign Drayson Bowman to Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Rampage Down Wolves 2-1 - San Antonio Rampage
- Admirals Fall 2-1 to Griffins in Shoot-Out - Milwaukee Admirals
- Griffins Top Admirals in First Shootout of Season - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Penguins Reclaim First Place with 3-2 Win over Bears - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Penguins Finally Solve Bears in Hershey - Hershey Bears
- Monsters Top Rockford 4-3 in OT for Fourth Straight Win - Cleveland Monsters
- Wolves Trumped 2-1 by Mancari and Rampage - Chicago Wolves
- Big Day for Akeson Drives Sunday Win at Bridgeport - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Wolf Pack Snap Binghamton's Streak - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Devils Shut out by Flames - Albany Devils
- Monarchs Sweep Norfolk with 5-2 Win - Manchester Monarchs
- Amerks Close out Weekend with 3-0 Loss to Marlies - Rochester Americans
- Marlies Shutout Americans 3-0 - Toronto Marlies
- Bridgeport Splits Home-and-Home - Bridgeport Islanders
- Admirals End Road Swing with Setback in Manchester - Norfolk Admirals
- Pirates Fall 3-2 to Bruins, Streak Comes to An End - Portland Pirates
- Stars Grind out Overtime Win over Hamilton, 2-1 - Texas Stars
- Win Streak Ends with 4-2 Loss in Hartford - Binghamton Senators
- Coyotes Assign Campbell to Portland - Portland Pirates
- Rockford Regroups for Monster Matinee - Rockford IceHogs
- American Hockey League Announces Suspension - AHL
- Terry Recalled from AHL Conditioning Stint - Charlotte Checkers
- Capitals Re-Assign Liam O'Brien to Hershey - Hershey Bears
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