The Rockford IceHogs have a three-in-three weekend that begins Friday night. The shorthanded IceHogs have made several moves to the roster in an attempt to break a season-long losing streak.
Rockford (9-10-2) finds itself in a fourth-place tie with Manitoba in the Central Division heading into the weekend. The IceHogs play host to Iowa on both Friday and Saturday nights. Following that, Rockford slides down I-90 for a Sunday matinee in Rosemont with the Chicago Wolves, recent trade partners of the IceHogs
On Monday, the IceHogs sent forward Zach Jordan to Chicago in exchange for defenseman Austin Strand, giving Rockford additional experience on the blueline. Strand will be a welcome addition with defensemen Isaak Phillips, Louis Crevier, and Filip Roos recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks.
This was one of a host of moves made by the IceHogs over the past week. Rockford also picked up depth at forward on Sunday, signing Jackson Cates to a PTO. Cates had 11 goals and 12 assists in 65 games for Lehigh Valley last season. Goalie Mitchell Weeks was also recalled from the ECHL’s Indy Fuel on Sunday.
The IceHogs also picked up some talent from the Blackhawks. Chicago assigned Boris Katchouk to Rockford after he cleared waivers on Tuesday, and on Thursday, the IceHogs returned forward Ryan Gagnier, who had a goal in five games with Rockford, to the Fuel.
Ready For A Turnaround?
Gagnier returning to Indy may indicate that injured players like David Gust, Anders Bjork, and Kale Howarth are nearing a return to the lineup. The IceHogs can then hopefully start winning puck battles and creating some much-needed offense.
Rockford was outscored 18-2 in three losses last week. In his weekly media availability on Tuesday, IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen identified some offensive issues, then explained what needs to change to turn those numbers around.
“I think just being able to manage the puck a little bit better,” he said. “I thought that offensively we can hang on to more pucks. I thought we were taking some ill-advised, opportunistic plays at times. Guys are pressing a little bit to score. Just being able to be confident still and making some more plays when the game is on the line is really important.”
Weekend Opponents
The Wild (10-11-1-1) are coming off a shootout win over Chicago in Des Moines and sit just ahead of Rockford and Manitoba in the Central Division standings. Rockford is 3-2 against the Wild this season, though Iowa defeated the Hogs 6-1 at Wells Fargo Arena on December 5; their most recent match-up.
Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt has both of Iowa’s wins over Rockford, the most recent being a 31-save performance in the December 5 victory. He’s enjoying a fine season, sporting a 2.09 goals against average and a .933 save percentage. Jujhar Khaira (5 G, 11 A) and Jake Lucchini (9 G, 9 A) have led the way against the IceHogs this season, with two and three goals, respectively.
The Wolves are owner of the AHL’s worst record at 5-13-1-2. Two of those wins, however, have come against Rockford. Chicago has won both meetings between the rival clubs. The last meeting came in Rosemont on November 12 and was a 5-0 win by the Wolves.
Chicago’s veterans have done most of the heavy lifting on offense. Wolves forward Rocco Grimaldi (11 G, 10 A) currently leads the team in scoring. Former IceHog Grimaldi has a pair of goals and three assists against the IceHogs. Chris Terry (7 G, 8 A) and Max Comtois (5 G, 8 A) have also chipped in for Chicago.
The action at the BMO Center begins at 7:00 p.m. CDT on both Friday and Saturday. Rockford will need to avoid weary legs with a Sunday start of 3:00 p.m. CDT to close out a busy weekend.
