The Rockford IceHogs have dropped six games in a row. They are 0-2-1-1 as they approach the midpoint of a season-long homestand. Three key skaters are in the AHL’s concussion protocol. Rockford alternates between two Central Division opponents in the next four games, against whom they are 1-6 this season. Perhaps this is not the best way to come out of the All-Star break. However, it’s the reality of the schedule for the IceHogs, who have a tenuous hold on a playoff spot entering play this weekend.
Rockford (16-19-4-2) hosts the third-place Texas Stars at the BMO Center on Friday night, then welcome the Chicago Wolves on Saturday. An improving Wolves squad (16-19-3-2) is a single point behind the IceHogs for fourth place in the division standings. Both teams return to the BMO Center next week; Texas on Tuesday, the Wolves next Friday.
Meanwhile, Rockford is only one loss away from equaling their longest winless skid of the season. The IceHogs battled last weekend, taking Grand Rapids and Manitoba into extra skating. However, the Icehogs lost a 3-2 shootout to the Griffins and fell 3-2 in overtime to the Moose.
Tangling With Texas
The Stars were on top of the Central Division when Rockford visited Cedar Park in early January. Rockford managed a split, scoring a 5-3 win in the team’s most recent tilt on January 6. Since then, Texas has cooled; the Stars are 2-8 in their last ten games.
The Stars still have plenty of firepower, with the AHL’s top two scorers in Logan Stankoven (20 G, 31 A) and Mavrik Bourque (16 G, 32 A). Texas is tied with Toronto at the pinnacle of the league 3.66 goals per game.
Meanwhile, Rockford is producing just 2.63 goals per contest, third last in the AHL. Anders Bjork had a pair of goals against the Stars this season to lead the IceHogs. Unfortunately, Bjork is now in the league’s concussion protocol along with Colton Dach and Wyatt Kaiser, and will likely be unavailable this weekend
Mitchell Weeks was the winning goalie for Rockford on January 6. He was just sent to the ECHL this week; Drew Commesso is the likely starter in net on Friday night.
Solving The Wolves
Chicago is 4-0 against Rockford this season. The IceHogs were beaten 4-1 in the last meeting between the teams on January 19. The Wolves have outscored Rockford 18-6 in these four games. Four of those Chicago goals have come from the stick of Max Comtois (12 G, 15 A). Three more were scored Nathan Sucese (15 G, 8 A). Veterans like Rocco Grimmaldi (22 G, 16 A) and Chris Terry (16 G, 18 A) have led the way for the Wolves as they’ve climbed out of the division basement and into playoff contention.
In net for each of Chicago’s victories over the IceHogs has been Adam Scheel (2.54 GAA, .917 save percentage). He has been dominant for stretches against Rockford: Scheel sports a 1.50 GAA and a .947 save percentage when facing the IceHogs this season.
Roster News
Two players were moved from Rockford this week. On Tuesday, defenseman Louis Crevier was recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks. On Thursday, the IceHogs assigned goalie Mitchell Weeks to the ECHL’s Indy Fuel.
Del Mastro Represents
IceHogs rookie Ethan Del Mastro was Rockford’s selection at the AHL’s All-Star Classic in San Jose February 4 and 5. Del Mastro took part in Sunday’s skills competition, helping the Western Conference to an 18-13 victory. On Monday night, Del Mastro contributed an assist in three games as the Central Division beat the Atlantic Division before losing shootouts to the North and Pacific Divisions.
Wekend At BMO
On both Friday and Saturday night, the action begins at the BMO Center at 7:00 p.m. CDT.
