The Rockford IceHogs return to the BMO Center for the first time in three weeks on Saturday night. Rockford plays host to the struggling San Jose Barracuda this weekend. The IceHogs are coming off of a very successful road trip, winning four of their five games.
Rockford (26-22-5-2) saw a seven-game win streak snapped on Wednesday night in a 5-3 loss in Texas. This came after a 4-3 win over the Stars on Tuesday night, so the IceHogs remain within striking distance.
The IceHogs trail third-place Texas by just two points in the Central Division with a pair of games in hand. While the Stars visit Tucson, the second place team in the Pacific Division, this weekend, Rockford looks to have drawn the more favorable matchup.
A Weekend With The Barracuda
Like the IceHogs, San Jose split a two-game series with the Stars in Cedar Park in its last action heading into the BMO Center Saturday. The Barracuda, however, are just 2-6-0-2 over their last ten games.
Rockford and San Jose split two games in San Jose to open this season. The IceHogs are trying to solidify playoff position, while the Barracuda languish at the bottom of the Pacific Division. San Jose’s 8-14-5 road mark is the worst in the Western Conference. Four points are there for the taking if Rockford is able to get a fresh winning streak going.
The Barracuda have struggled to keep opponents out of their net. San Jose gives up 3.71 goals per contest, worst in the AHL by a good amount. That’s reason for optimism for the IceHogs, who have picked up their offensive game of late.
Streakin’
Rockford’s seven-game win streak is the second-longest in team history. The IceHogs were a win away from equaling the franchise record of eight games, set from October 25 to November 8 back in 2014.
Rem Pitlick is currently on a seven-game point streak, during which he has five goals and six helpers. Pitlick has points in eight of Rockford’s last ten games. Rookie defenseman Ethan Del Mastro is working on a five game point streak.
Brett Seney, who had a six-game point streak stopped in Texas, had four goals and seven assists in that span. Seney leads Rockford both in goals (18) and points (45).
David Gust had points on both Tuesday and Wednesday. His goal on Wednesday was Gust’s 100th professional goal in his seventh pro season. Back on opening night on October 13, Gust had a pair of goals to lead the IceHogs to a win in San Jose.
Getting Better All The Time
The IceHogs continue to get players back from injury. Mike Hardman came out of the league’s concussion protocol and skated in both games against the Stars. Anders Bjork may still be a couple of weeks away from recovering from a shoulder injury. Luke Philp, who has missed all season following Achillies surgery, was assigned to Rockford last week, but has yet to skate in a game.
Back At The BMO
The action gets underway in Rockford on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. CDT. The return match with San Jose is set for Sunday at 4:00 p.m. CDT.
