Rockford Wraps up Homestand against Hamilton
December 30, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill. - The American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs (19-10-3-1) will try and finish their post-Christmas homestand with a win as they welcome the Hamilton Bulldogs (14-13-5-0) to the BMO Harris Bank Center on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
Rockford will be celebrating the next generation of hockey players with their youth jersey giveaway. The first 1,000 guests 14-and-under will leave with a free IceHogs replica jersey, courtesy of Rockford Orthopedic.
Tickets are available in person at the BMO Harris Bank Center box office and at any Ticketmaster location, as well as over the phone at 815-968-5222 and online at IceHogs.com. Fans can also catch the action online at AHLLive.com and on television through 23.2 Antenna TV, with coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. with the IceHogs Warm Up pre-game show.
Rockford comes into the game riding the momentum of an exciting 4-2 win over the Chicago Wolves on Sunday afternoon in front of a sold-out BMO. The victory snapped a four-game winless streak both at home and overall, and added some needed cushion to their lead in the Midwest Division and Illinois Lottery Cup standings. With the win, Rockford holds a five-point edge over the Wolves atop the division and a three-point advantage in the race for the Lottery Cup.
Propelling the IceHogs over the Wolves was the reawakening of their offense, which had been dormant for most of their brief losing streak. After managing only five goals in their previous four games, Rockford buried four goals in a 9:58 span, including three quick goals in the first 3:05 of the second period.
Leading the second-period outburst was center Teuvo Teravainen, who factored in each of the three goals, picking up a goal and two assists. Center Peter Regin and defenseman Adam Clendening each added a pair of assists to help the IceHogs build their 4-2 lead, which was plenty to withstand a late push by Chicago.
While Rockford's season series with the Wolves is just heating up, the IceHogs now set their sight on Tuesday's match with Hamilton - the second and final game with the Bulldogs this season. The first meeting between the IceHogs and Bulldogs fell in Rockford's favor, in a 2-1 overtime thriller at FirstOntario Centre back on Oct. 18. Historically the IceHogs have struggled against the Montreal Canadien affiliate, holding a 4-8-1-0 record in the all-time series.
The Bulldogs come into Tuesday's game third in the North Division and tied for ninth in the Western Conference, (just one point behind the Texas Stars for the eighth and final playoff spot). They have been shut out twice coming out of the AHL's holiday break, falling on the road to the Toronto Marlies 4-0 on Friday before getting blanked at home 5-0 to the Adirondack Flames.
Bolstering the Hamilton lineup is one of the AHL's most dangerous scorers this season in Charles Hudon. The 20-year-old center ranks fourth in the league, and first among all rookies, with 31 points (9g-22a) in 32 games played. Hudon is joined up front by fellow centers T.J. Hensick (8g-17a) and Gabriel Dumont (7g-11a).
On the back end the Bulldogs have relied on both Joey MacDonald (6-5-3, .902 SV%, 2.95 GAA) and Mike Condon (7-7-2, 9.23 SV%, 2.42 GAA) to carry out their goaltending duties.
Next Home Game: Friday, January 9 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Game begins at 7 p.m. Rockford begins their 2015 home slate with a Midwest Division rivalry game against the Milwaukee Admirals at the BMO. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will take home an IceHogs fleece blanket thanks to OSF. Those 21-and-over can arrive early for another Blues Flame Lounge Pre-Game Party, and enjoy live music, drink specials and free appetizers. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.
American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2014
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- Wolves Foiled in Overtime by Grand Rapids - Chicago Wolves
- Anaheim Reassigns Heatley to Norfolk - Norfolk Admirals
- Bridgeport Falls in 2014 Finale - Bridgeport Islanders
- Bulldogs Edge IceHogs 2-1 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Devils Lose in Closing Seconds to Bruins - Albany Devils
- Second Period Ends Pennsylvania Run with Loss - Norfolk Admirals
- Sharks Close out 2014 with a Bang - Worcester Sharks
- Bears Defeat Admirals in Final Home Tilt of 2014 - Hershey Bears
- Admirals to Give Away Green Bay Playoff Tickets - Milwaukee Admirals
- Hurricanes Recall Ryan Murphy from Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
- Columbus Blue Jackets Recall Center Sean Collins - Springfield Falcons
- Phantoms Weekly - Phantoms Kick off 5-Game Road Trip Wednesday - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Martin Ouellette Returned on Loan to Reading - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Red Wings Recall Ouellet - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Griffins Begin Five-Game Home Stand with NYE Battle against Rockford - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Penguins Hosting 2015 NEPA Toyota Dealers High School Hockey Showcase - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Beach Visits Chicago Ridge Library on January 8 - Chicago Wolves
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- B-Sens Weekly - Binghamton Senators
- Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- Syracuse Crunch Allen York Recalled from ECHL - Syracuse Crunch
- Rockford Wraps up Homestand against Hamilton - Rockford IceHogs
- Norfolk Admirals Weekly - Norfolk Admirals
- Lightning Recall Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy from Syracuse - Syracuse Crunch
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