The Rockford IceHogs are still looking for their first victory following the all-star break. After dropping a pair of games in Texas over the weekend, Rockford returned to the BMO Center to host Milwaukee. Two early goals by the Admirals did in the IceHogs as Milwaukee handed Rockford a 3-1 defeat.
Rockford (17-22-5-1) is now on a three-game losing streak. The IceHogs have just two wins in their last ten games. Currently in fifth place in the Central Division, Rockford is losing sight of the top four teams. Just five points separate co-leaders Milwaukee and Texas (55 points) and fourth-place Chicago (50 points). The IceHogs (40 points) trail the Wolves by ten points.
IceHogs Weekend Opponents
Chicago visits the BMO Center on Friday night, giving Rockford a chance to cut into that deficit. The Wolves have won six of the first eight games between the I-90 rivals this season, including the last two meetings.
Rookie defenseman Scott Morrow (10 G, 19 A) has eight points (3 G, 5 A) against Rockford this season. Forward Bradly Nadeau, Chicago’s top goal scorer, has scorched the IceHogs with five of his 17 lamp-lighters.
In net, Spencer Martin is 2-0 with a 1.00 GAA and a .960 save percentage against Rockford. He’s currently on a six-game win streak. By comparison, neither Drew Commesso (1-3-1, 3.25, .891) or Mitchell Weeks (1-2, 3.38, .878) have been very sharp against Wolves shooters.
On the IceHogs side of the scoresheet, most of the damage has been done by veterans Joey Anderson (8 G, 6 A in 14 games) and Gerry Mayhew (9 G, 9 A in 31 games). In Rockford’s last win over Chicago, Anderson posted a four-goal evening in a 5-3 IceHogs victory.
Mayhew, who has been out since the end of January with an injury, posted a hat trick in a 6-3 Rockford win on December 1. Together, Anderson and Mayhew have ten of the IceHogs 19 goals against the Wolves this season.
Springfield (23-18-2-3) arrives at the BMO Center on Saturday night. The Thunderbirds, despite losing to Milwaukee on Thursday night, have won six of their last ten games. Springfield beat the IceHogs in a 2-1 overtime decision back on December 7.
The Thunderbirds are paced in scoring by veteran Matthew Peca (17 G, 21 A). Rookie Dalibor Dvorsky, who potted the game-winner against Rockford, has 15 goals and 19 helpers for Springfield this season.
IceHogs Roster News
Back on Saturday, the IceHogs recalled G Ben Gaudreau from the ECHL’s Indy Fuel. He backed up Commesso on Saturday, coming into the game after an injury to Commesso in the second period. Gaudreau allowed two goals the rest of the way and took the loss as Texas prevailed 4-3.
Gaudreau, who is 12-10-4 with a 2.31 GAA and a .908 save percentage for the Fuel this season, also backed up Weeks on Tuesday night. In three appearances for Rockford, Gaudreau is 1-1 with a 2.21 GAA and a .905 save percentage.
Also on Saturday, the Chicago Blackhawks assigned D Ethan Del Mastro to the IceHogs. Del Mastro, who has eight assists in 39 games with Rockford this season, was in the lineup in Tuesday’s loss to Milwaukee.
On Tuesday, the IceHogs assigned F Matus Spodniak to Indy. The following day, Rockford recalled F Kevin Lombardi from the Fuel.
Thursday, the team announced that Mayhew would be returning from a left hip abductor strain. Also announced were injuries to F Colton Dach (right hip flexor strain) and Commesso (sprained right ankle). Both Dach and Commesso are expected to be out for at least a week.
Bickell Honored Saturday
The IceHogs will be inducting former Chicago Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell into Rockford’s Ring Of Honor in a ceremony on Saturday night. Bickell, who won three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks, spent parts of four seasons with the IceHogs.
His last stint came in the 2015-16 campaign, where he had 31 points (15 G, 16 A) in 47 games. Bickell posted career-highs in goals (19) and points (39) with Rockford in the 2007-08 season.
Puck Drops
Friday and Saturday’s games at the BMO Center are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. CST. Bickell’s Ring Of Honor induction will take place on Saturday during the second intermission.
