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AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME

Article By: Mike Peck

Photo by Greg Hamil
03/23/2009 11:04 AM -

Rockford has crucial five-game week slated

Week 24 Recap
Three weeks remain on the 2008-09 American Hockey League regular season schedule and the Rockford IceHogs are still trying to secure a spot in the Calder Cup Postseason.  Rockford split a pair of games in Week 24, winning a crucial contest on Saturday night over the Manitoba Moose in front of a soldout Rockford MetroCentre.

Week 24 Results
Friday, March 20: Rockford 2 at Iowa 3 
Saturday, March 21: Manitoba 2 vs. Rockford 3 SO   
 
Week 25 Schedule 
Monday, March 23 vs. Milwaukee, 7:05 p.m.   
Wednesday, March 25 vs. Iowa, 7:05 p.m.        
Friday, March 27 at Houston, 7:35 p.m.        
Saturday, March 28 at San Antonio, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 29 vs. Houston, 5:05 p.m.

Bacon Bits:
-Rockford broke out of an 0-30 power play draught on Saturday when Tyler Mosienko scored at 18:06 of the third period against Manitoba

-The cold spell was the longest of the season on the power play for Rockford
 
-Rockford has just 2 power-play goals over their past 12 games, going 2-46 (4.4%)

-Antti Niemi’s start on Saturday ended a nine-game streak in which Corey Crawford started in goal for Rockford

-Rockford drew a season high 5,994 fans on Saturday night

-The game also marked the IceHogs single season franchise record fifth sellout of the season

-In two shootouts this season against Manitoba goalie Curtis Sanford, the IceHogs have converted six of eight opportunities, winning both

-Sanford has made three appearances against Rockford (0-0-0-2) and has stopped 76 of 79 (.962) IceHogs shots

-Rockford finished its four-game season series with Manitoba, the AHL’s top team, 3-1-0-0

-Tim Brent leads the IceHogs with seven shootout goals this season, tied for second most in the AHL

-Brent’s seven shootout goals tops Kris Versteegs’ IceHogs AHL single season record of six from last season

-Rockford will play five games during Week 25, the second time this season in which they will play five games in seven days

-The IceHogs went 3-2-0-0 from Dec. 29-Jan. 3 in their other five game week

-Nine of Rockford’s final 11 regular season games are against West Division opponents

Hot Hog Week 24:
One of just two players on the IceHogs to have played in every game so far this season, defenseman Tim Hambly chipped in a pair of assists in two games during Week 24. Hambly began the week with a helper in Rockford’s 3-2 loss at Iowa with a plus/minus rating of +1.  The White Bear Lake, Min. native then had an assist on Rockford’s game-tying goal late in regulation in the IceHogs 3-2 shootout win over Manitoba on Saturday.

Photo by Greg Hamil
Upcoming Games:
Monday, March 23 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m.  The first-place Milwaukee Admirals cruise into the Forest City for their second-to-last visit of the season. It’s “Brett Favre Retirement Night” as the IceHogs honor the recently retired football standout.  The best dressed Favre fan will win a trip to Orlando courtesy of Allegiant Air and 10 fans will walk away with a pair of Wrangler jeans and a book honoring Brett Favre.

Wednesday, March 25 vs. Iowa Chops. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m. The final meeting of the season between the IceHogs and Chops happens on Wednesday at the MetroCentre.  The game is the tenth on the season and the IceHogs will try to even the season series with a win.  One lucky college student will drive away in a car that will be given away courtesy of Speedway Auto Mall. Wednesday is also another WXRX Student Rush Night as students with a valid ID can purchase any seat for $10 at the door.

Friday, March 27 at Houston Aeros.  Rockford final Texas jaunt starts at 7:35 p.m. For the third time in five weeks the IceHogs head to the Lone Star State.  Rockford opens its two game trip at the Toyota Center against the Aeros in the third and final meeting in Houston on the season.

Saturday, March 28 at San Antonio Rampage.  The shootout starts at 7 p.m. Rockford meets up with the Rampage for the final time this season when they face-off at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.  The game is the sixth on the campaign and a win by the IceHogs would complete a three-game sweep in San Antonio on the season and clinch a season series win against the Rampage for the second season in a row.

Sunday, March 29 vs. Houston Aeros.  Game time is 5:05 p.m.  A quick turnaround for the IceHogs finds them back on home ice on Sunday for the final regular season contest against the Aeros.  Sunday is this season’s final Sunday Fundae with special deals from Culver’s.  Fans can also help celebrate Hammy’s Birthday with other local mascots and the first 2,000 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs 10th Anniversary Canvas courtesy of Stanley Steemer and Rasmussen College.

The IceHogs Broadcasting Network:
Rockford IceHogs fans can catch all of the IceHogs regular and post-season games on the Hogs flagship radio station Rockford’s Voice, WNTA-AM 1330 and 30 regular season games on ESPN Radio 1380-AM, WTJK.  Fans can also watch and listen to the Hogs on the World Wide Web with AHL Live!  Visit the IceHogs Web site (icehogs.com) and click on the “click here to watch the AHL Live” icon, and for just $6, you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer.  Also, fans with Comcast 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 Comcast Post-Game Call-In Show following each game at (815) 874-8255.

No Hog Talk Tonight At Cousin’s Bar and Grill:
The IceHogs have a home game tonight against the Milwaukee Admirals, so Bud Light Hog Talk will be taking the week off.  The next Bud Light Hog Talk will be March 30.  Join Jim Stone from 6-7 p.m. at Cousin’s as he chats IceHogs hockey with Hogs Head Coach Bill Peters, players and front office staff.  Stop out to Cousin’s, located on the corner of East State St. and Perryville in Rockford, and take advantage of some great food and Bud Light specials.  If you can’t make it out to Cousin’s, tune into 1330 AM, WNTA.

Where to Watch the IceHogs:
IceHogs fans can now catch every IceHogs regular season game live on TV!  Every IceHogs home game during the 2008-09 season can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel-57.  When the IceHogs are on the road log onto the IceHogs official team Web site, www.icehogs.com, and watch the IceHogs through AHL Live for just $6.  Fans can also stop out to the Sports Page, located on Broadway near Alpine Road in Rockford, and watch the IceHogs when the team is on the road.

Tickets Now On Sale!
IceHogs individual game tickets are now on sale!  Call (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for any IceHogs regular season game during the 2008-09 season.  Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office in downtown Rockford, at Hogs Headquarters inside CherryVale Mall or on the Web at www.metrocentre.com.  Tickets start at just $10.

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