Rockford Welcomes San Jose for Friday Night Showdown
January 15, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill. - The Rockford IceHogs (22-9-2-3) continue their eight-game homestand tonight versus the San Jose Barracuda (17-10-3-3) at the BMO Harris Bank Center at 7 p.m.
Tonight's game will feature a pom-pom hat giveaway to the first 1,000 fans 21-and-older courtesy of Bud Light.
Tickets are available for tonight's game and can be purchased online, by calling 815-968-5222, at the BMO Harris Bank Center box office, or at any Ticketmaster location including Walmart.
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).
San Jose and Rockford met in the teams' first game of the 2015-16 season and the inaugural AHL game for the Barracuda on Oct. 9. The IceHogs emerged with a 4-2 victory courtesy of two goals from Tanner Kero and 30 saves by Michael Leighton.
The home team enters having won each of its last three games, and leads both the Central Division and Western Conference with a .681 winning percentage.
Rockford has been solid in both Friday games and the front end of back-to-back contests. The IceHogs have gone 9-0-0-1 on Fridays and 7-2-0-1 in the first game of back-to-backs.
With 211 career AHL wins, Leighton enters the showdown with a chance to move into sole possession of 10th on the all-time leaderboard. The IceHogs goaltender is currently tied for first in the AHL with Jared Coreau of the Grand Rapids Griffins and Peter Budaj of the Ontario Reign with 18 wins.
Rockford looks to Jake Dowell, who leads the team in points (7g-16a-23 pts), to continue his outstanding play against San Jose. Dowell currently sits at second place in the league with a +23 plus/minus rating.
NHL veteran Raffi Torres has joined the Barracuda on a conditioning stint following a 41-game suspension from the league resulting from an illegal hit in preseason play. Torres' suspension ended after the San Jose Sharks played the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, and he joined the Barracuda on Thrusday.
The IceHogs will look to contain right wing Barclay Goodrow, San Jose's leading goal scorer (14), who has maintained a sparkling 21.2 shooting percentage.
Next Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 16 vs. Stockton Heat at 7 p.m. Stockton makes their first ever trip to Rockford for Pink in the Rink. The BMO?Harris Bank Center ice is painted pink and the IceHogs are wearing pink jerseys for breast cancer awareness. Pink LED batons will be given to the first 2,500 fans courtesy of Swedish American Hospital.
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