At the time of my previous article, the Rockford IceHogs were sitting in fourth place in the Central Division, in line for a playoff spot. Since then, the wheels seem to have fallen off. A record of 5-12-1 since then has slipped Rockford to sixth in the division and out of a playoff spot.
Much like in November, the reasons are equally right in front of their faces, but seemingly just out of reach. Addressing these problems during the season may prove to be too difficult a task, but not impossible.
Scoring inconsistency
Gavin Hayes, like many IceHogs, has struggled to score. (Photo courtesy of Kristin Ostrowski / Rockford IceHogs)
In the 18 games since my previous article, how many times have the IceHogs scored three or more goals in a game? The answer is seven. A scoring drought is affecting many members of the team.
Brett Seney has scored only one goal since the calendar flipped to 2026, that goal being on Jan. 3. When the captain and team-leading scorer records only five points in 18 games, the concerns mount.
Scoring seems to only be coming from two forwards: Rem Pitlick and Dominic Toninato. Pitlick has scored a respectable 10 points since the new year, with seven of those points being goals. Toninato, since returning from a stint with the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 3, has recorded 13 points, netting six goals.
The problem is everyone else. Kevin Korchinski has recorded five points with no goals since the beginning of January. Gavin Hayes has recorded only seven points in that span, and Samuel Savoie has struggled with merely four points, going scoreless in his previous five games.
When the majority of team scoring comes from two skaters, something has to give. If not, teams can focus in on Pitlick and Toninanto and completely clamp the floundering Hogs.
Defensive woes
Stanislav Berezhnoy leaves the ice after a 5-2 loss to the Iowa Wild on Feb. 6. (Photo courtesy of Bryan Holliday / Rockford IceHogs)
On the other end of the scoring spectrum, in the 18 games since my previous article, Rockford has given up three or more goals a staggering 14 times.
Is it goaltending? Is it the defensive game plan? It is hard to not say both.
Korchinski, as impressive he is as a skater and as a point-scoring defenseman, has struggled in his No. 1 defenseman role on the defensive end. Although plus/minus is an imperfect stat, a rating of -18 since the previous article is a massive concern. Mixed in with his scoring drought, being on the ice a lot when scored against should be a concern for the team.
On the goaltending side, things have not been smooth for Stanislav Berezhnoy and Drew Commesso. In seven starts since the Christmas break, Berezhnoy has recording a save percentage above .900 in two starts. For Commesso, he has recorded a sub-.870 save percentage in half of his starts in that same stretch.
The IceHogs’ defense has not done their goalies any favors, and the goalies have not found consistency — a bad combination for a young roster.
Special teams troubles
The Hogs fell 5-0 against the Texas Stars on Jan. 23, which included two power-play goals and a shorthanded goal for the Stars. (Photo courtesy of Kristin Ostrowski / Rockford IceHogs)
The offensive and defensive struggles stand out most during special teams.
A power-play percentage of 13.5% is second-lowest in the division, ahead of only the Manitoba Moose at 13.2%. Like mentioned earlier, when scoring comes from only a couple of forwards, teams can hem in a power play.
On the penalty kill, a 82.6% kill rate looks impressive at first, sitting at fourth in the division. Looking closer, the realization that Rockford has allowed 31 power-play goals against should raise alarm bells. Tied for most in the division with the Chicago Wolves, the problem becomes apparent. The Hogs shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, constantly putting unnecessary pressure on themselves.
It’s not all doom and gloom
Sam Rinzel scored his first AHL goal on Jan. 13 against the Manitoba Moose. (Photo courtesy of Jordan Menard / Rockford IceHogs)
With all of this, it is hard to see a bright side to things. There still are diamonds in the rough.
The biggest diamond appears to be the development of Sam Rinzel. After being sent down to Rockford, Rinzel has recorded 13 points in 21 games. He played well enough to be brought back up to Chicago for three games in late January and early February, where he recorded one goal in three games.
Another bright spot is the three all-stars on this roster. On Jan. 15, Korchinski and Nick Lardis were named to the All-Star Classic. On Feb. 8, Seney was named an all-star. Having three members of the club make it to the All-Star Classic, which will be held in Rockford on Feb. 10 and 11, is commendable.
Final thoughts
Nick Lardis is one of three IceHogs representing Rockford at the All-Star Classic, hosted in Rockford. (Photo courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)
With 38 points in 47 games played, the Hogs sit four points behind the Milwaukee Admirals for fifth in the division. With five games in hand, Milwaukee holds the clear advantage, but with a victory over the Ads on Feb. 7, the Hogs have kept the door open.
It is too early to say it would take a miracle to make the playoffs, but the Hogs are in serious danger of needing one. The All-Star break gives the roster time to regroup, refresh and look to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
Rockford’s season resumes on Feb. 14 at home against Milwaukee 7 p.m. CST.