Rockford IceHogs Open BMO Harris Bank Center With Win Over Stars

Opening the BMO Harris Bank Center on Saturday night, the Rockford IceHogs played hosts to the Texas Stars in a rematch of the Calder Cup Western Conference Finals last season, where the Stars eliminated the IceHogs in Six games to advance to the Calder Cup Finals. It was also a welcoming game for the Stars to the Central Division after spending the last three seasons since the AHL moved to a four division format in the Pacific Division.

It wouldn’t take long for the IceHogs to begin their search for revenge as the Sikura brothers got Rockford on the board early for the game’s opening goal. Tyler Sikura was able to bang in a rebound off his brother Dylan Sikura‘s shot from the right circle and the IceHogs took a 1-0 lead. The lead wouldn’t last long, though, as the Stars would tie the game on a goal from James Phelan and then with less than a minute to play, a miscommunication led to the Stars getting a goal from Denis Gurianov to end the period 2-1 for Texas.

The middle frame would see Henrik Samuelsson net his first goal of the season, a rebound chance to tie the game at 2-2 less than two and a half minutes into the period. The Stars would once again answer the bell mid-way through the period as Justin Dowling would re-direct a shot from the blue-line past Collin Delia to give the Stars the lead at 3-2 heading to the third period.

Rockford would again tie the game in the third period as Matheson Iacopelli buried the cross-ice feed from Graham Knott to make it 3-3, mid-way through the final period. Not long after that, the IceHogs found the lead for good as Dylan Sikura would score his first goal of the season to give Rockford the 4-3 lead on a 3-on-3 rush. Darren Raddysh would add the empty-net insurance goal and the IceHogs come away winners over the Stars 5-3.

Postgame Reaction

Tyler Sikura

Dylan Sikura

Collin Delia gets his first win of the season, stopping 34 of 37 shots faced, earning the first-star of the night honors in the win. The IceHogs killed off both powerplays they faced against the Stars and scored on one of their six powerplay chances for.

Rockford IceHogs Route Hershey Bears

The celebration for the first win of the season wouldn’t last long for the IceHogs. After getting the 5-3 win on Saturday night, Rockford played host again on Sunday, this time hosting the Hershey Bears for an afternoon puck drop.

Much like Saturday’s contest, the IceHogs would get on the board early as Tyler Sikura, Henrik Samuelsson, and Anthony Louis teamed up for a great tic-tac-toe goal on the rush with Louis finishing it off for his first goal of the season. With the assist, Tyler Sikura hits a three-game point streak early on this season. The lead wouldn’t survive the period, though, as the Bears would tie the game on a Tyler Lewington shot from the blue-line that found its way by Collin Delia.

The game would enter the second period at 1-1, until the IceHogs capitalized on a powerplay opportunity with Dylan Sikura setting up Jordan Schroeder with a cross-ice pass that Schroeder put home for the 2-1 lead. Schroeder’s first goal of the season and Dylan Sikura’s third assist of the season, putting both Sikura brothers on three-game point-streaks. The Bears would answer back in the second period, a game-tying goal coming from Liam O’Brien on a quick turnaround shot to knot it up at 2-2, seven minutes into the period. But just over 90 seconds later, Graham Knott would find a rebound and get his first goal of the season to give Rockford the lead for good as they headed to the third period.

In the final frame, the IceHogs extended their lead to 4-2, thanks to a goal from Terry Broadhurst coming from a great feed from Jordan Schroeder for Broadhurst’s first goal with the IceHogs in his return this season. Broadhurst played previously with the IceHogs from 2012-2014. Matthew Highmore would add an empty-net goal late in the period to give the IceHogs the 5-2 win on Sunday.

Postgame Reaction

Head Coach Jeremy Colliton

Terry Broadhurst

Jordan Schroeder

Collin Delia, in back-to-back starts, earns his second win of the season with another 30+ save performance. Delia stopped 36 of 38 shots faced to rebound from his 21 of 26 first start of the season and improve his save-percentage to .906 after three games. The IceHogs were a perfect 3-for-3 on their penalty kills and scored on one of their four powerplay opportunities.

What’s Next?

The Rockford IceHogs are back on the road next weekend as they travel Southwest to Arizona to take on the Tucson Roadrunners. The IceHogs and Roadrunners square-off in back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday, with both puck drops scheduled for 8:05 pm CT.

The post Rockford IceHogs Sweep Home-Opening Weekend appeared first on The Rink.

In one of the more memorable season’s in Rockford IceHogs AHL history, the team accomplished a tremendous amount together and individually in the 2017-18 season. To note a few:

• Furthest run in the Calder Cup Playoffs, including deepest postseason run since 2007 Colonial Cup win (UHL).
• Chris DiDomenico sets franchise record for postseason point total (18 points, 13 games)
• Matthew Highmore sets franchise rookie goal-scoring record (24 goals)
• Adam Clendening sets franchise all-time assists and points record for a defenseman (122 assists, 148 points)
• Carl Dahlstrom becomes 100th IceHogs player to reach the NHL
• Vince Hinostroza and Erik Gustafsson named AHL All-Stars, replaced by Matthew Highmore and Carl Dahlstrom at AHL All-Star Classic

Rockford IceHogs Exit Interviews

(Key: Regular Season Stats / Calder Cup Playoff Stats)

Head Coach Jeremy Colliton

In his first season coaching in North America, Colliton led the Rockford IceHogs back to the Calder Cup Playoffs after a last-place finish in the Central Division last season. At just 33-years old, Colliton is already proving his worth to the Chicago Blackhawks organization and maybe, just maybe, a possible replacement for Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville in the near future.

Cody Franson, Defenseman – 37 GP, 9 G, 19 A / 13 GP, 6 G, 7 A

Cody Franson‘s 2017-18 season did not go as planned. He signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, expecting to be a top-six defenseman for the NHL club. Those plans changed mid-way through the season and he finished the year with the IceHogs. One of the leading point scorers in the regular season and playoffs, Franson made the most of his stint in Rockford and helped propel the IceHogs offensively and defensively.

Adam Clendening, Defenseman – (38 GP, 4 G, 26 A / 13 GP, 1 G, 13 A)

Much like Franson, Adam Clendening did not expect his 2017-18 season to wind up with the Rockford IceHogs. Acquired via trade with the Arizona Coyotes, Clendening re-joined the IceHogs late in the season and made his reunion count. Leading all Rockford defensemen in points in the regular season and playoffs, Clendening was a big part of the trio of veteran players that led the IceHogs through the Calder Cup Playoffs alongside Franson and Chris DiDomenico.

Chris DiDomenico, Forward – (22 GP, 8 G, 15 A / 13 GP, 7 G, 11 A)

Rounding out the trio of players who all joined the IceHogs late in the year, but had some of the biggest impacts in their time with the team, Chris DiDomenico also found his 2017-18 season come to a close with the IceHogs via a trade. Late in the season, DiDomenico  joined Rockford and immediately made his presence known on the ice and in the locker room. Head Coach Jeremy Colliton praised DiDomenico’s contributions to the roster mentally and physically, saying he brought the feeling to the group that on any given night, they should come away winners. Over his last 35 games combined, DiDomenico put up 41 points.

Jeff Glass, Goaltender – (28 GP, 15-9-2, 2.82 GAA, .904 SV% / 3 GP, 2-1, 1.48 GAA, .955 SV%)

What a ride the 2017-18 season was for goaltender Jeff Glass. A journeyman net-minder, who has played the majority of his career in the KHL, becomes the starting goalie for the Rockford IceHogs and Chicago Blackhawks at different points of the season. At 32-years old, Glass made his NHL debut with Chicago and tallied three wins in the big league. With Rockford, Glass continued to lead the IceHogs through tough stretches of the season and graciously took a back seat at the beginning of the Calder Cup Playoffs to Collin Delia. When called back upon in the postseason, Glass gave the IceHogs every chance to complete an improbable comeback, before ultimately coming up just two wins short of the Calder Cup Final.

Collin Delia, Goaltender – (28 GP, 17-7-4, 2.72 GAA, .900 SV% / 10 GP, 7-3, 2.34 GAA, .924 SV%)

Speaking of wild rides this season, Collin Delia had one of the more unbelievable start to finishes this year for the IceHogs. Starting the year with the Indy Fuel in the ECHL, making his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks, and leading the Rockford IceHogs into the Calder Cup Playoffs, Delia was the most improved player from day one. Having a stretch from early January to the end of the regular season, Delia lost just a handful of games, with the majority of those losses coming in overtime or the shootout. It goes without saying that the IceHogs would not have been in the position they were in the final six weeks of the season without Delia. Oh, and he was named the Rockford IceHogs Man of the Year.

Lance Bouma, Forward – (20 GP, 7 G, 7 A / 13 GP, 1 G, 1 A)

Lance Bouma found himself in similar shoes as Cody Franson did with the Chicago Blackhawks this season. Signing a one-year contract, Bouma started the year as a regular in the Blackhawks’ lineup, but as the year progressed his play wasn’t what Chicago needed and the opportunity to give players with more of a future with the organization arose. Thus, Bouma headed to Rockford and made the most of his situation, providing a physical presence on the ice and a leadership quality in the locker room.

Tanner Kero, Forward – (36 GP, 8 G, 12 A / 12 GP, 0 G, 3 A)

Tanner Kero dealt with injuries on and off this season, which was a factor in him having a less-than-stellar outing with the Chicago Blackhawks this year. Being one of the players on the fence between the NHL and AHL in the organization, Kero saw his spot as a bottom-six center with Chicago go to David Kampf and found himself with the IceHogs. Once healthy, he was a consistent presence for Rockford during the regular season and Calder Cup Playoffs.

John Hayden, Forward – (24 GP, 5 G, 12 A / 13 GP, 3 G, 0 A)

One of the younger players that plays on that same NHL/AHL fence for the Chicago Blackhawks organization, John Hayden could have taken his assignments to the Rockford IceHogs this season as a negative. But, to Hayden’s credit, he played well and understood that his time with the IceHogs this season was to give him time to develop his game. Playing with Chicago, Hayden’s game started to deviate from size and skill, to size and slam. Hayden has more to offer than just a big-bodied player and with Rockford, Hayden was able to play more meaningful minutes and find his skill-set at the pro level. A restricted free agent this summer, the Blackhawks will more than likely sign Hayden and make him a part of the bottom-six in Chicago next season.

Tyler Sikura, Forward – (74 GP, 23 G, 16 A / 13 GP, 5 G, 1 A)

Next to Collin Delia, Tyler Sikura was one of the most improved players over the course of the season. In his first full-year in the AHL, Sikura scored 23 goals (2nd on the team) and earned himself his first NHL deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. Sikura can find himself in a position battle for a bottom-six forward spot with Chicago next year as he showed that he has a scoring touch around the net for the IceHogs and can play physical when called upon.

Andreas Martinsen, Forward – (64 GP, 12 G, 16 A / 13 GP, 2 G, 3 A)

Joining the IceHogs right as the 2017-18 season began, Andreas Martinsen was brought in to the organization to help lead a young locker room early on. Far from a grizzled veteran, Martinsen brought some NHL experience to a locker room in Rockford that started the year with nearly a dozen players making their first year pro debuts. Martinsen was a leader on and off the ice for the IceHogs and provided consistent physical play throughout the year and into the Calder Cup Playoffs. Martinsen was also able to get a few NHL games under his belt with the Blackhawks late in the NHL season.

David Kampf, Forward – (33 GP, 7 G, 11 A / 13 GP, 1 G, 0 A)

David Kampf came into the Chicago Blackhawks organization with a ton of question marks surrounding him. A free agent signing from Europe, the 23-year old Czech Center joined the IceHogs out of training camp and was a player that head coach Jeremy Colliton gave a large amount of ice-time to. It worked in Kampf’s favor as he was recalled to the Blackhawks mid-way through the season and would only re-join the IceHogs with a few games remaining in the regular season. While only scoring one playoff point, Kampf created a ton of offensive chances. He’ll figure to be in the mix for a bottom-six position with Chicago next year.

Carl Dahlstrom, Defenseman – (64 GP, 3 G, 25 A / 13 GP, 3 G, 6 A)

The 2017-18 season narrative of the Rockford IceHogs continued to be young talent making huge improvements all season, and for defenseman Carl Dahlstrom, that narrative rang true. A sizable defender, Dahlstrom more than doubled his point production from last season in fewer games played. Named an AHL All-Star replacement for Erik Gustafsson, Dahlstrom also made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks during the 2017-18 campaign and will figure to challenge for a spot on Chicago’s blue-line next season.

Gustav Forsling, Defenseman – (18 GP, 2 G, 3 A / 13 GP, 1 G, 4 A)

One of the more interesting defenseman in the Chicago Blackhawks organization, Gustav Forsling had a difficult 2017-18 season. Bouncing between the Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs, Forsling dealt with injuries that hindered his season. But, when healthy, Forsling showed flashes of why the Blackhawks still have a ton of faith that he will be able to play the role of a defenseman who can jump into the offense and produce points in the NHL. At 21-years old (turning 22 in mid-June), Forsling still has room for development, but figures to be in the mix for a spot on Chicago’s blue-line next season.

Robin Norell, Defenseman – (63 GP, 2 G, 5 A / No Playoff Stats)

Robin Norell had an odd 2017-18 season. As a defenseman, Norell played solid on both ends of the ice for the IceHogs, but ultimately found himself dressing for more games as a forward than a defender. Once the latter half of the season rolled around, and the Rockford blue-line took shape, Norell saw his spot in the lineup go away and he did not dress for the Calder Cup Playoffs. He’ll more than likely figure to be a part of the IceHogs defensive core again next season.

Viktor Svedberg, Defenseman – (73 GP, 6 G, 18 A / 13 GP, 0 G, 5 A)  

A stalwart in the Rockford IceHogs organization for the last few years, Viktor Svedberg had arguably his best season of his career in 2017-18. His highest point total in his AHL career (24 points), Svedberg had a decent shot with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2015-16 season, playing in 24 NHL games, but it seems as if the organization may have moved on from the towering Swedish defenseman. An unrestricted free agent this summer, it will be interesting to see if the Blackhawks bring Svedberg back, as he has become an integrated part of the Rockford organization, but may not have an NHL future with Chicago.

Matt Tomkins, Goaltender – (8 GP, 1-4-2, 4.04 GAA, .871 SV%) / (No Playoff Stats)

Another goalie for the IceHogs who did a fair share of bouncing around this season was Matt Tomkins. While largely only playing in a backup role with the IceHogs, Tomkins was another first-year pro who made his debut with Rockford this season. Tomkins figures to be a starting option in net for the ECHL Indy Fuel next season, but could be a challenger for some AHL time too.

Victor Ejdsell, Forward – (5 GP, 0 G, 1 A) / (13 GP, 7 G, 5 A)

Acquired in the Ryan Hartman trade with the Nashville Predators, Victor Ejdsell came into the Chicago Blackhawks organization late in the year and quickly took the sting away from the Hartman deal for many fans. A big-bodied forward, Ejdsell played a handful of game with the Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs once he arrived in North America and showed flashes of quick hands and a powerful shot from the wings. Ejdsell was a huge factor for the IceHogs in the Calder Cup Playoffs, scoring two overtime goals over the 13-game run. Ejdsell should get a chance with the Blackhawks early on next season.

Henrik Samuelsson, Forward – (25 GP, 9 G, 3 A) / (4 GP, 0 G, 0 A)

Henrik Samuelsson joined the IceHogs late in the season from the ECHL Idaho Steelheads and jumped right into the lineup in a way. Scoring a goal in each of his first three games, Samuelsson is a former-first round pick making his way back to the top leagues of North America. A big-bodied forward, Samuelsson was scratched to start the Calder Cup Playoffs for the IceHogs, but found his way back into the lineup later in the postseason. Samuelsson signed an extension into next season and should factor into the Rockford lineup as a regular.

Graham Knott, Forward – (70 GP, 4 G, 5 A) / (No Playoff Stats)

Another first-year pro making his debut with the Rockford IceHogs this season, Graham Knott had an underwhelming first year. Nine points in 70 games played for the former second-round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks, Knott played a fourth-line role all season for Rockford before being scratched for the Calder Cup Playoffs. Another large-bodied forward, Knott will need to improve his strength and skating over the summer, but will have a spot with the IceHogs next season.

Darren Raddysh, Defenseman – (66 GP, 5 G, 17 A) / (9 GP, 0 G, 2 A)

Making his professional debut with the Rockford IceHogs this season, Darren Raddysh played his way into and NHL contract with the Chicago Blackhawks while in the midst of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Raddysh was a regular in the IceHogs defensive core, but was a scratch for the final few games of the postseason. He’ll be a factor in the Rockford blue-line again next season, maybe with an outside chance at making his NHL debut in 2018-19.

Luke Johnson, Forward – (73 GP, 13 G, 17 A) / (13 GP, 4 G, 4 A)

Luke Johnson made a huge leap from the 2016-17 to 2017-18 season. Playing in 73 games again this season, Johnson doubled his point production from last season and saw his on and off-ice responsibilities increase under head coach Jeremy Colliton. Johnson should be a key player for the IceHogs next season and could even make his NHL debut with the Blackhawks next season if Chicago gets bitten with injuries.

Nathan Noel, Forward – (17 GP, 1 G, 0 A) / (No Playoff Stats)

Nathan Noel had a tough season in his first year as a pro. Dealing with injuries and playing on the fence between the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL and the Indy Fuel in the ECHL, Noel made the most of his time with Rockford but left more to be desired. Next season should provide more opportunities for Noel at the AHL level, but he’ll need an impressive summer.

Matheson Iacopelli, Forward – (50 GP, 11 G, 8 A) / (No Playoff Stats)

One of the more interesting cases for the Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs organizations, Matheson Iacopelli has the skill-set to be a regular contributor at the AHL level and his shot has been said to be NHL quality. But, for some reason, although scoring at a 0.40 point per game pace over his 58 AHL games, Iacopelli was scratched and even sent to the Indy Fuel in the ECHL late in the season. In 10 games with Indy, Iacopelli scored 10 points (9 G, 1 A) and was quickly brought back to Rockford, but didn’t see any action in the Calder Cup Playoffs. He’ll factor into the IceHogs lineup next season, but wouldn’t hurt to have a standout summer.

Matthew Highmore, Forward – (64 GP, 24 G, 19 A) / (13 GP, 2 G, 7 A)

One of the more impressive first-year players with the Rockford IceHogs this season, Matthew Highmore went from undrafted free agent signing out of the QMJHL, to Rockford’s top goal-scorer in 2017-18. Setting the rookie goal-scoring record with 24 goals in 63 games, Highmore took over the production role, alongside Anthony Louis, when Vince Hinostroza left Rockford for his permanent stay with the Blackhawks early in the season. The Chicago Blackhawks took a flyer on Highmore and it has already paid off in one year for both organizations. He made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks late this season, including his first NHL goal, and will again be looked at as an option for the Blackhawks next season.

Anthony Louis, Forward – (70 GP, 14 G, 44 A) / (9 GP, 0 G, 5 A)

As mentioned above, Anthony Louis was one of the key players for the Rockford IceHogs all season. The 2017-18 points leader for Rockford, Louis emerged as one of the go-to players after Vince Hinostroza was recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks. In his first full year in the AHL, Louis showed that he has the speed and vision to create for his teammates offensively. He’ll need more time in the AHL to round out his game and will undoubtedly be one of the key players for the IceHogs next season.

Alex Fortin, Forward – (53 GP, 4 G, 21 A) / (1 GP, 0 G, 0 A)

Alexandre Fortin, by all accounts, had a fine first professional year in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs. Outside of dealing with injuries, Fortin made his pro debut and did well in the role he was given by head coach Jeremy Colliton. The problem comes with the expectations that Fortin came into the Chicago Blackhawks organization with. He was a free agent signing and had a monster summer showing, enough to make some people believe he was NHL-ready. But Fortin’s first full pro season left something to be desired. If Fortin can have another decent showing over the summer, he’ll be a regular again in the IceHogs lineup and could potentially get his NHL shot in 2018-19.

William Pelletier, Forward – (69 GP, 14 G, 15A) / (13 GP, 2 G, 0 A)

Guess what? Another first-year pro! William Pelletier made a few appearances late last season for the Rockford IceHogs, but the 2017-18 season was his first full season in the AHL. A former Division III standout at Norwich University, Pelletier is another “water-bug” type of player in the Chicago Blackhawks system that has excelled with the IceHogs. Like Hinostorza and Anthony Louis, Pelletier uses his quick feet and playmaking ability to create offensive chances for his linemates and has an ability for finding open space to find his shot. Over his 77 career games with Rockford, Pelletier is playing at a .47 point per game pace and will be a regular for the IceHogs next season.

Luc Snuggerud, Defenseman – (40 GP, 5 G, 12 A) / (No Playoff Stats)

Another player hinder by the injury big this season, Luc Snuggerud made his pro debut in his first full year in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs this season. When healthy, Snuggerud was a regular part of the Rockford defensive core and showed the ability to play effectively at both ends of the ice. While healthy at the end of the season, Snuggerud was edged out in the defensive rotation and did not dress for any games in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Over his 53 career games with the IceHogs, Snuggerud is producing at a .42 point per game pace which is great from a defenseman. With a solid showing this summer, Snuggerud will be a regular part of the Rockford defensive lineup next season.

A GIANT thank goes out to the great Media and Communications staff with the Rockford IceHogs for providing all the videos of the exit interviews.

As the 2017-18 season comes to an official close for the Rockford IceHogs, it goes without saying that this squad came together under familiar circumstances with a rookie head coach being paired with so many first-year pros. The locker room gelled and added the right veteran pieces to produce some AHL magic and create a renewed vigor in the Rockford hockey community. Adam Clendening’s statement that this group was the most fun group he has ever played with spoke volumes to what Jeremy Colliton, the coach staff, and management did to rebuild the IceHogs from their disappointing 2016-17 run.

While the Chicago Blackhawks regulars have had their spring to relax and recover from last season, the IceHogs have been going through a tough Calder Cup Playoffs run. For most players, the offseason will be short as Summer Prospect Camp gets underway in the latter half of July, leading into the Rookie Showcase in Traverse City before Training Camp in late August. While the additions of new free agent and draft pick signings will re-shape the look of the IceHogs for the 2018-19 season, the organization is back on the right track and provides a hopeful look into the future of the Chicago Blackhawks.

The post Rockford IceHogs 2017-18 Season Exit Interviews appeared first on The Rink.

Roster Shakeup Ahead?

While no team is immune to the inevitable roster turnover in the AHL, the IceHogs have seen their fair share of talent come and go this season. Whether getting called up, assigned down, or traded, the IceHogs roster at the moment misses a lot of what made them a dangerous team early in the season. No player had a bigger impact in the first two dozen games for the IceHogs this year than Vince Hinostroza. He was nearly a point-per-game player with 22 points in his 23 games with Rockford, but was called up to the Chicago Blackhawks early in December and has not looked like he has any intention of coming back to Rockford this season, or any other season for that matter.

Along with Hinostroza, players like Tomas Jurco, Carl Dahlstrom, Erik Gustafsson, and David Kampf have been key contributors this season for Rockford that have been recalled to the Blackhawks and may not return to the IceHogs this season. Alongside the call-ups are the re-assignments, and those have benefited the IceHogs this season with players like Cody Franson, Gustav Forsling, John Hayden, and Tanner Kero making their marks in the AHL this season.

Tomas Jurco of the Rockford IceHogs (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

The problem that will give the Rockford roster the biggest issue as they attempt to make a playoff push, is the NHL trade deadline. The deadline ends at 3pm Eastern Time on Monday, Feb. 26. With the Chicago Blackhawks looking to be sellers as the final days approach, the IceHogs roster could very well be the target of a few deals. Already players like Ville Pokka and Laurent Dauphin have been parts of trades out of the Blackhawks organization that had sizable impacts with the IceHogs this year.

The weekend will have its fair share of action as the IceHogs hit the road for games against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Hershey Bears, but with the deadline clock ticking down, it’ll be interesting to see who comes back to Rockford with the team and who is in the lineup for the Wednesday game against the Texas Stars.

Henrik, so hot right now. Henrik.

One player that the IceHogs added to the mix on a Professional Tryout agreement earlier this month is Henrik Samuelsson. Since joining the team on Feb. 11, Samuelsson has three goals in three games played and has seen his fair share of quality ice-time with Rockford.

Henrik Samuelsson of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

There is a fair chance that Samuelsson has already played his way into the favor Jeremy Colliton, being given powerplay opportunities and top-minutes, but the pace Samuelsson’s on may be an illusion early on. Hopefully for Rockford’s sake, it is not.

Samuelsson’s Media Day: 2-20-18

IceHogs Lead With Balanced Attack, Face Defensive Questions

While the roster has endured its changes, the IceHogs still have the ability to apply pressure offensively from multiple angles. Line combinations like Tyler Sikura, Andreas Martinsen, and John Hayden rolled along with a grouping like Anthony Louis, Matthew Highmore, and Henrik Samuelsson can give opposing teams fits to deal with the size, speed, and skill combinations that Rockford can put together. Since the departures of Hinostroza and Jurco this season, top forward rookies Matthew Highmore and Anthony Louis have been the key players jump starting the offense, along with additions like John Hayden, Tanner Kero, and Adam Clendening in the back half of the season.

Anthony Louis shoots on net against the Milwaukee Admirals. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

The biggest issue will be defending. While the third-highest scoring team in the AHL Western Conference, the IceHogs are a -3 in goal-differential this season. Losing J.F. Berube to injury for two months and then getting recalled by the Chicago Blackhawks, paired with Jeff Glass being recalled by the Blackhawks for a month and a half put Rockford in a pinch between the pipes. Matt Tomkins and Collin Delia were forced into roles as an AHL goaltending tandem when they were expected to be the Indy Fuel’s one-two punch in the ECHL. While Tomkins and Delia were efficient enough in net to keep the IceHogs in most games, and on more than one occasion steal a game, the IceHogs were missing their original tandem in Glass and Berube. Getting Glass back and having a now AHL-tested Delia in net should give the IceHogs an advantage in net moving forward.

Along with improvements in net, the IceHogs have improvements to make on the blue-line as well. While the addition and return of longtime Rockford Adam Clendening has been a plus, the loss of Ville Pokka and Jeremy Colliton’s use of Robin Norell as a forward has left the Rockford defensive core on the edge. Erik Gustafsson and Carl Dahlstrom have been recalled and with the Blackhawks for some time now, while Cody Franson and Gustav Forsling have been working towards getting back to the Chicago lineup for almost just as long. The problem lines with the next few days as Clendening, Franson, and Gustafsson could all be pieces of trade deadline moves. The IceHogs will need to have players like rookies Darren Raddysh, Luc Snuggerud, and veteran Viktor Svedberg pull their weight as questions around the defensive rosters stability hang in the air over the weekend.

What’s Next?

As mentioned before, the IceHogs travel over the weekend to faces the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday night in Pennsylvania. Puck drop is set for 6:05pm Central Time on Friday night. After that, the IceHogs stay in Pennsylvania to take on the Hershey Bears on Saturday night. Saturday night’s puck drop is set for 6pm Central Time. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is currently in Calder Cup Playoff spot in the AHL Eastern Conference sitting in fifth-place at 30-15-5 with 65 points and a .650 points-percentage, while Hershey sits in 12th place in the East with a 22-25-7 record, 51 points and a .472 points-percentage.

Again, a reminder that the NHL trade deadline is Monday, Feb. 26 at 3pm Eastern Time (2pm Central Time).

The post IceHogs: Calder Cup Playoff Spot Within Reach For Rockford appeared first on The Rink.

Tuesday: Cleveland Monsters def. Rockford IceHogs, 3-1

Making his second start since returning from a lower-body injury, J.F. Berube would be between the pipes for Rockford as they faced the bottom of the Central Division Monsters. His 27-save effort would be squandered by the IceHogs, though as the Monsters were able to get on the board first  with a short-handed goal from Terry Broadhurst just under five minutes into the opening period. The eight short-handed goal allowed by the IceHogs this season put them in a hole early, but they would be able to rebound. With just over three minutes to play in the first period, newly signed Henrik Samuelsson finished a nice feed from Matthew Highmore to tie the game 1-1 after the opening 20 minutes. Samuelsson, who signed a PTO agreement with Rockford on Monday, scored his first AHL goal of the season after playing 49 games with the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL.

After out-shooting the Monsters 13-6 in the opening period, Cleveland responded with a 16-7 second period shot-advantage that culminated in a late period goal from Carter Camper to give the Monsters a 2-1 lead heading into the third period. While the IceHogs made several pushes in the final period to find an equalizing goal, their efforts would go empty. J.F. Berube made 27 saves on 29 shots faced as the Monsters added an empty-net goal with under a minute to play to seal the 3-1 victory.

With the loss the IceHogs now sit in sixth-place in the AHL Central Division with a 25-21-6 record, 56 points, and a .538 points-percentage. Rockford trails the second-place Iowa Wild by .062 percentage points, but with Iowa on a three-game win streak, the Milwaukee Admirals on a four-game win streak, and the Grand Rapids Griffins with points in their last nine games (7-0-2), the IceHogs need to find a win-streak or a point-streak of their own to avoid falling out of Calder Cup Playoff contention.

What’s Next?

The IceHogs and Monsters will do it all over again on Saturday night in Rockford. Puck drop on Saturday night is scheduled for 6pm Central Time. After that, the IceHogs complete their three-game homestand with a Sunday late-afternoon contest against the San Antonio Rampage. Puck drop for Sunday’s home game is scheduled for 4pm Central Time.

The post IceHogs: Rockford Drops Third-Straight Game With Loss To Cleveland appeared first on The Rink.