Hogs Blank Wolves 4-0 in Charity Exhibition Game 9/23/09


Last Wednesday night the Rockford IceHogs hosted the Chicago Wolves at Carlson Ice Arena for a pre-season Charity Benefit exhibition game. Proceeds from ticket sales went to the Jr IceHogs Program and Sydney Ives, a young local girl suffering from a Brain Tumor. Final score 4-0, with the IceHogs taking home the victory. The event was a success, raising a total of $2,200. Proceeds were split evenly and the checks presented at the game held on 9/26/09 in Rockford.

With a total of 43 players on the Training Camp Roster, the IceHogs were not lacking for finding bodies to fill the game roster. Twenty-three IceHogs players watched the game from the other side of the glass, many familar faces were seen amoungst them...MacArthur, Klinkhammer, Bickell, Davis, and Bertram to name just a few. Seeing these boys makes it all seem more real, that indeed it was hockey time in Rockford, to the many fans who filled the stands. Several Wolve's fans were also noted to be in attendence, nice to see them make the trip.

The game started out a bit wild and wooly, as it seemed the players spent more time chasing after the puck rather than trying to follow any kind of game plan. Once the nerves and jitters settled down, actual forthought and passing could be detected. Glass rattling checks were ofter heard throughout the game. The fans were treated to fights in both the 1st and 2nd periods. The first pair to match up was IceHogs Adam Huxley and Wolves Derek Parker. The pair seemed to start slowly, dancing across the ice for what seemed like several minutes before the first blow was thrown. Huxley ended up with the Win. In the 2nd frame, Derek Parker had his card punched for a second dance that night, this time by IceHogs player Ryan Flynn. Parker was handed the win, while Flinn retired to the locker room for stitches.

The Man from Brittan, David Phillips, scored the first goal for the Hogs, late in the 2nd frame. He caught an empty net and jettisoned the puck from the neutral zone, with assists going to Brock Wilson and Matt McIlavane. The Hogs went onto score an additional 3 more goals during the 3rd frame, with credit going to Daniel Michalsky and Jason Lepine. Lepine it appears, had a very good night, tallying 2 goals and 1 assist. Joe Palmer was in net for the IceHogs while the duty for the Wolves was shared by Kevin Armstrong and Kris Mayotte.

Coach Bill Peters watched the game from the stands, so that he could make his final notes and decisions on the players. Assistant Coach Ted Dent took control of the bench for the game while being assisted by the Toledo Walleye's Head Coach, Nick Vitucci.

On Thursday, the IceHogs announced that they had released 17 players from Camp. Players released were: A.Huzley, T.Lange, M.MacIlvane, D.Michalsky, D.Patrosso, E.Rankin, C.Robertson, B.Schell, R.Smyth, J.Tender, J.Zimmel, J.Legualt, J.Lepine, M.Maslonka, J.Milan, S.Olesky and B.Wilson. Also announced was that the Blackhawks recalled forwards Bryan Bickell and Rob Klinkhammer back to Chicago. The release of players and the recall now brings the team roster down to 24 players. On Friday, forward Evan Brophy was recalled to Chicago, joining the team just in time for their Pre-Season adventure to Finland.

It's Hockey Time in Rockford!

The leaves on the trees have starting to turn in Rockford, that must mean Hockey is soon to follow. The IceHogs hosted a Open House this past Friday September 18, 2009 at the Rockford MetroCentre. It featured guided tours of the facility & locker rooms, open skating, Season Tickets Sales booth, assorted IceHogs items for sale and a Q & A in a Town Hall setting with GM Mark Bernard.

The IceHogs then officially opened their Training Camp Sunday September 20, 2009 with 19 contracted players and 19 invitees. Returning from their Rookie season are standouts: Pete MacArthur, Dan Bertram, Mike Brennan, and Nathan Davis. Also returning to the IceHogs is Blackhawk prospect, Akim Aliu. The Blackhawks assigned Aliu to Rockford last week during their Training Camp in Chicago. A welcome addition to the IceHogs this season will be winger Derek Nesbitt. Nesbitt, as you may remember, was a late addition to the Hogs during the 2007-2008 season. He spent last season playing for several AHL teams.
















But, the big mystery right now is: "Who will be in Goal to start the season for the IceHogs?" Both Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi have returned to the Blackhawks organization this year, but they are both still committed to the Blackhawks while they fight for the #2 spot behind starter Cristobal Huet. Apparently both Crawford & Niemi will be traveling with the Hawks when they leave for Finland next week for the team's scheduled pre-season games there. That leaves Rockford with three eager prospects to fill their skates...Joe Fallon, Joe Palmer and Alec Richards. Fallon was the IceHogs #3 man last season and filled in a few times while either Crawford or Niemi were on recall to Chicago. Fallon was based with the Blackhawks' ECHL affiliates, while Palmer and Richards were playing for their College teams last season.














The first Pre-Season Game is scheduled for tomorrow night, September 23, 2009 at the Carlson Ice Arena in Rockford. It's pits the dreaded rival team of the Chicago Wolves against the IceHogs. Tickets go on sale to the public at 12noon the day of game, only $5. All seats are general admission. Buy your tickets early, as it is a small venue. The second pre-season game is slated for Friday September 24, 2009 against the Peoria Rivermen at Peoria. On Saturday, September 25, 2009 the IceHogs will host the Rivermen at the MetroCentre for the last scheduled pre-season game. Tickets are on sale now at the Box Office and at the IceHogs store in CherryVale Mall for Saturday's game.