Birthday boy. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Today is Brandon Bollig‘s birthday. He turns 26 today.

I guess that, since it’s his birthday, I should be nice and not mention that I wish he was back in Rockford, terrorizing the AHL with his limited skills.

I guess I shouldn’t say something like “Whatever you did to Coach Q, Jamal Mayers, please apologize for it so he can put you back in the lineup so we don’t have to suffer through another one of Bollig’s staged fights ever again.”

And I definitely shouldn’t wish Ben Smith a speedy recovery so he can eventually take Bollig’s place in the lineup if Coach Q is determined to keep Mayers in the doghouse for whatever petty, Coach Q-like reasons.

I should just be nice.

So… happy birthday, Bollig. I hope you get to celebrate by watching the game tomorrow from the comfort of Vancouver’s press box. I hear they have good popcorn in there.

(Oh, dammit, that was still mean, wasn’t it? Oh well. I don’t care enough to edit it.)

» Continue reading “Fresh Brew: Happy Birthday, Brandon Bollig!”

Weelllll, about that… (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

Week 15 was essentially another must-win week for the IceHogs. Two divisional games (surprise, surprise) were on tap for Rockford, along with a Monday matinee with an opponent from the South to start week 16. These three games in four nights featured events that everyone loves:  many goals and a bench-clearing brawl.

I mean what.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: Post-Brawl Hangover”

Ben Smith continues to be a consistent piece in the IceHogs’ line-up. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

The end of week 13 brought the IceHogs’ only trip into Ontario for the 2012-13 season. In theory, the games should have been on total opposite sides of the spectrum considering the Hamilton Bulldogs sat near the bottom of the Western Conference and the Toronto Marlies sat atop the Western Conference. But, both games had similar outcomes, which weren’t in the Hogs’ favor.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: Oh-For-Ontario”

Keep telling yourself that, Shawzer…

Sadly, the NHL lockout denied the Blackhawks an opportunity to attempt to top the Blackhawks Holiday Album from last year.

However, in Rockford, the IceHogs are trying their best by destroying “12 Days Of Christmas.” Check out the video after the jump.

» Continue reading “On The Farm: The IceHogs Butcher A Christmas Carol”

Former teammates Kyle Hagel and Brandon Bollig duke it out during Saturday’s game. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

There were only two games scheduled for the IceHogs in week ten and if they wanted to gain sole possession of first place in the Midwest Division, they had to win both of them. Well, that didn’t go as planned.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: They’re Still Tied For First…?”

Brandon Saad and Jeremy Morin were on the scoresheet a lot in week 7. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

Even with Thanksgiving, the IceHogs were busy during the holiday week. Wednesday featured a home contest against a Midwest Division rival and then the weekend brought a road trip to Ohio to face the Monsters.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: 3 Game Winning Streaks Are Nice”

This guy scored while falling to the ice. Again. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

Week five featured two big Midwest Division games for the IceHogs with tilts against the Griffins and the Admirals.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: A Weekend To Forget”

Actually, let’s be honest. This was the last time Lebda was ever relevant. (Photo: Michael Righi/flickr)

On The Farm provides news from the Chicago Blackhawks‘ farm teams: the Rockford IceHogs and Toledo Walleye.

The Rockford IceHogs signed Brett Lebda to a Professional Try Out contract today to round out their training camp roster.

While Lebda, a native of Buffalo Grove, would probably like you to remember him as a former Stanley Cup champion with the Detroit Red Wings, it’s more likely that you remember his disastrous stint as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. My favorite “Lebda being Lebda” moment was when the Maple Leafs beat the holy hell out of the Atlanta Thrashers 9-3 — but he somehow managed to still be a minus-3 on the night.

He then signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this year — mostly because the Blue Jackets had, like, two healthy defensemen left at that point.

It’s safe to say that Lebda won’t make it anywhere near the Blackhawks even after the lockout, but if he can crack the IceHogs’ roster and provide some veteran leadership, more power to him.

» Continue reading “On The Farm: Lebda Still Relevant, Kind Of”

Saad is among the 26 prospects assigned to the IceHogs.(Photo: Mel/flickr)

Ahead of the lockout, the Blackhawks have assigned 26 players to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. The list follows after the jump.

» Continue reading “Blackhawks Send 26 To Rockford”

More goalies! (Photo Credit: the_mel/flickr)

The Blackhawks announced today that goaltender Kent Simpson signed a three year entry level contract with the club. They also made the signings of prospects Mac Carruth, Joakim Nordstrom, and Klas Dahlbeck official.

» Continue reading “Simpson Added Into The Fold”