Hogs Clinch their Playoff Spot!

The Rockford IceHogs secured their spot in the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs this past Friday night, beating the Peoria Rivermen 2-1 in a Shoot Out. Their final seed is yet to be determined, pending the out come of their game against the Chicago Wolves and the results of the Houston Aero's remaining 2 games. The MetroCentre played host to another sellout crowd of 5938. Fans attending the game were treated to Patrick Kane bobbleheads and team photos. Friday night's game was also Fan Appreciation Night in which the team litterally gave a few lucky fans the jerseys off their backs after the game. Fans filled out entry slips and then the winners were drawn at random. Perhaps next year they can come up with a better and more fair way of fans to enter, as there was no limit to the number of times a fan could enter. Many fans were seen filling out multiple tablets of slips.

The game remained scoreless until Rockford's Pete MacArthur found the back of the net at 13:06 in the 2nd frame. He was assisted by Tim Brent and Tim Hambly. Peoria answered back 3 minutes later with a goal by Aaron Palushaj, assisted by Justin Fletcher and Yan Stastny. In the Shoot out, Rockford's Akim Aliu and Evan Brophy were able to solve Peoria's Chris Holt. Ironically, the only Peoria player to score in the shootout was former IceHogs Danny Richmond. Another former IceHogs player currently skating for Peoria is Justin Fletcher. Richmond, as as some may remember, ended his season early last year with a ruptured spleen. Rockford's netminder, Corey Crawford, stood tall in net Friday stopping 32 of 33 sog. Referee Shaun Davis handed out 18 pim minutes for 9 infractions to Rockford, while Peoria received 28 pim minutes for 10 infractions. Stars of the game, in order, were Corey Crawford, Pete MacArthur and Justin Fletcher.

The IceHogs also presented the Team Awards that night, with the following players receiving awards. Captain Tim Brent received the club's Most Valuable Player. He led the team in points at 61. Brent was also awarded the team's Leading Scorer award. Tim Hambly was awarded the Best Defenseman award this year. He ends the regular season with a +/- rating of +8. Rookie of the Year was awarded to winger Pete MacArthur. MacArthur has scored 7 goals and 4 assists in his last 20 games. Named the team's Unsung Hero was forward Rob Klinkhammer. During his sophomore year as a pro, he played a variety of roles with the IceHogs, skating with the checking line as well as the top line. Most Improved player award went to Evan Brophy. Brophy has both improved his scoring total to 39 points and his +/- rating to 14 this season. Winger Bryan Bickell was named the team's Heavy Hitter. Although injury plagued, he totaled 14 points and 56 PIMs. Sean McMorrow was named Rockford's Man of the Year for his commitment to the Rockford community throughout the 2008-2009 season. This writer gives a "Bad Fan" award to the young boys sitting along the visitors tunnel this game. During the 1st frame, several young fans thought it would be fun to throw cheese nachos at Peoria's backup goalie, Manny Legace. Luckly their aim was bad, as they missed hitting their intended target and this writer by mear inches. Security was informed of their poor aim.