Second week brighter for IceHogs
October 23, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
After a slow start to the 2006-07 United Hockey League season, the Rockford IceHogs rebounded in Week 2 with a pair of wins to pull its record to 2-2-0. After a 6-1 thrashing of the rival Quad City Mallards, the IceHogs took the show on the road for the first time and knocked off the Bloomington PrairieThunder 5-3. Week 3 has a pair of games scheduled for Rockford including Saturday's home tilt against Chicago.
Friday, Oct. 20: Quad City Mallards 1 vs. Rockford IceHogs 6
Saturday, Oct. 21: Rockford IceHogs 5 at Bloomington PrairieThunder 3: The first road game of the 2006-07 regular season for the Rockford IceHogs might not have gone 100% according to plan. But the end result is all that matters as the Hogs topped the Bloomington PrairieThunder 5-3 at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Rockford used a club-record 15 power plays and a three-point night from winger Jesse Bennefield to propel them to the win. Bennefield used his speed to put Rockford ahead early 1-0, beating PrairieThunder goalie Jeff Reynaert on a short-handed breakaway at 2:07. Bloomington got the goal back, however, after a slick move from winger Mathieu Brunelle, beating Rockford goaltender Frederic Cloutier at 8:18. Rockford would take a 2-1 advantage into the first intermission when Robin Big Snake slammed home a power-play goal at 15:32. The second frame also opened with a tally, but this time it was Bloomington lighting the lamp. Winger Garett Cameron knocked in a power-play marker at 1:36 to tie the game a 2-2. The Hogs responded with a pair of goals to take the lead. Center Mike Doyle potted his first of the campaign at 9:07 before Bennefield fired home his second of the game at 18:29. In the third frame, Bloomington made things interesting when defenseman Jason Lawmaster slapped in a power-play marker through traffic at 7:21 of the third, tightening the game to 4-3. The PrairieThunder couldn't stay out of the penalty box, however, and Rockford eventually put them away when center Steve Yetman shot in a 4-on-3 power-play goal at 19:22 to finish them off. Cloutier earned his first win in a Hogs uniform making 25 saves. Rockford peppered Reynaert with 35 shots and he made 30 saves in the losing effort.
Transactions
-Kaleb Betts (F) Activated from 7-Day IR
-Jason Guerriero (C) Re-assigned to Milwaukee (AHL)
-Tim Wedderburn (D) Re-assigned to Chicago (AHL)
Bacon Bits:
The IceHogs had a team single-game record 15 power-play opportunities against Bloomington on Saturday. Rockford went 3-for-15.
After struggling on the power play during Week 1, the Hogs rebounded in Week 2 going 5-for-19 (26.3%).
Rockford leads the UHL with 43.75 shots per game through the season's first two weeks.
The IceHogs were held to less than 40 shots (35) for the first time this season on Saturday at Bloomington.
Rockford will play six of its next seven on the road.
Winger Jesse Bennefield led the IceHogs in Week 2 with 2g-3a-5pts and a plus/minus rating of +3.
Defenseman Dan Boeser had a plus/minus rating of +5 over the Hogs two-game weekend.
After leading the UHL in penalty minutes a season ago, the Hogs have the second fewest after two weeks this season, averaging 24.5 PIM's per contest.
D-man Matt Gens had his first career multi-goal game on Friday against Quad City and then added a pair of assists at Bloomington on Saturday.
Hot Hog Week 2:
Rockford received key contributions from several skaters over the weekend, but no better than winger Jesse Bennefield. The second-year skater registered 2g-3a-5pts and a plus/minus rating of +3 in helping the IceHogs to its first two wins of the 2006-07 regular season.
Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, Oct. 25 at Flint Generals. The game starts at 6:15 p.m. Rockford conitues it's road swing on Wednesday when they visit the Flint Generals. The game marks the first for Rockford outside of the Western Conference.
Friday, Oct. 27 at Fort Wayne. Game time is 7:00 p.m. Rockford's first rematch of the season finds them in Fort Wayne against the rival Komets. The Hogs dropped its home opener against the K's and will look to rebound at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on Friday.
Saturday, October 28 vs.Chicago Hounds. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The Hogs return home for a one-game stand and a second look at the Hounds. The first 1,000 fans to the game on Saturday will receive a Transistor Radio courtesy of WNTA-AM 1330 and WXRX-FM 104.9.
The IceHogs Broadcasting Network: Rockford IceHogs fans can catch all IceHogs Regular and Post Season games on Rockford's Voice, WNTA-AM 1330. Fans can also watch and listen to the Hogs on the World Wide Web with the B2 Networks! Log on to the IceHogs Web site (icehogs.com) and click on the "click here to watch the game live" icon, and for just $6, you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Once again this season, ESPN Radio "The Jock" 1380 AM will broadcast 20 Hogs games during the regular season. Check your local listings for game times and dates. Also, fans with Insight Cable television can tune in to Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action this season. The broadcast begins with the Pregame Show 30 minutes before the puck drops. Make sure to give your opinion during the Post-Game Call-In Show following each home game at (815) 874-8255.
HogTalk Returns Tonight At Shooter's North: Bud Light HogTalk returns this week to Shooter's North located at 7742 Forest Hills Road in Loves Park from 7-8 p.m. WXRX's Jim Stone and Double T host the weekly show and this week they will be joined by IceHogs skaters Nicolas Corbeil and Frederic Cloutier. IceHogs Head Coach Steve Martinson will be on hand to talk about the week that was and the week ahead. Come sign up for prizes, meet some IceHogs players and chat Hogs hockey at Shooter's North!
Week 3 Schedule
Wednesday, Oct. 25 at Flint, 6:15 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 27: at Fort Wayne, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28 vs. Chicago, 7:05 p.m.
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