The Rockford IceHogs got some key players back into the lineup this past week. It’s probably no coincidence that the IceHogs also picked up a couple of key victories along the way.
Kaiser (2 G, 3 A) helped earn the IceHogs (18-19-5-2) a point on Friday when he joined an odd-man rush and tied the game in the second period.
Rockford then followed a 2-1 win over Chicago on Saturday night with a gutsy overtime win against Texas on Tuesday evening. The IceHogs climbed out of a two-goal hole in the early minutes of the contest, with Ethan Del Mastro’s overtime goal capping a 3-2 triumph. The win keeps Rockford in fourth place in the Central Division with 43 points.
This past weekend, three skaters came out of the league’s concussion protocol. Wyatt Kaiser and Anders Bjork returned on Friday night in a 3-2 loss to the Stars. On Saturday, rookie Colton Dach was in action for the first time since December 30.
Bjork and Dach add significantly to Rockford’s depth at forward, something that is evident in the team’s current five-game point streak. Entering play this weekend, Rockford is looking to solidify its playoff position with two Central Division opponents coming to the BMO Center.
On Friday, the Wolves return to Rockford to re-establish dominance over the IceHogs. Chicago won the first four meetings of the season before Rockford broke through on Saturday. The next night, the IceHogs play host to Grand Rapids, who was last in town on February 2, when they beat Rockford 3-2 in a shootout.
Hardman Heating Up
Forward Mike Hardman was looking for a bounce-back season in terms of getting pucks into the net. After 19 goals in his rookie campaign in 2021-22, Hardman saw his production fall to five goals and 13 assists last season. Entering play this weekend, Hardman is again making a difference in front of opposing nets.
Hardman accounted for both Rockford goals Saturday and added a key strike in Tuesday’s win. Camping out in front of the Texas crease as a power play expired, Hardman jumped on a rebound of Ryder Rolston’s shot for the equalizer late in regulation.
In 38 games this season, Hardman has 14 goals and 10 helpers.
Pitlick Joins Rockford
On Thursday, the Blackhawks assigned center Rem Pitlick to Rockford after he cleared waivers earlier in the day. Pitlick is a strong pickup for the IceHogs; a veteran forward who can help Rockford offensively. Pitlick had eight goals and 16 assists in 32 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton earlier this season.
On Sunday, Rockford recalled defenseman Andrew Perrott from the ECHL’s Indy Fuel. Perrott has appeared in 19 games for the IceHogs this season, with a goal and three assists.
On Wednesday, forward Luke Philp, who has been out after an Achillies tendon injury this summer, also cleared waivers. This could signal that he’ll soon be assigned to the IceHogs. Philp was Rockford’s MVP last season, with 24 goals and 29 assists. His impending return would continue to improve the depth of the IceHogs.
With several players returning to action, Rockford does have a skater set to miss some game action. The IceHogs announced that defenseman Austin Strand (4 G, 6 A) will be out 2-4 weeks with an injury to his right wrist.
Puck Drops
The action begins at the BMO at 7:00 p.m. CDT on Friday against Chicago, as well as on Saturday night against Grand Rapids.
