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”

I’m dreaming of a Walleye Christmas.

Let’s be honest, folks. It’s been difficult for me to write up much of anything while the lockout drags on. I’ve gone from hopeful to despairing to apathetic, and that’s put a damper on my writing.

But now I’ve found the perfect article to break the dry spell — a ridiculous video of the Toledo Walleye miming along to the Drifters’ version of White Christmas. (Thanks to Puck Daddy for finding it.)

» Continue reading “On The Farm: Walleye Get Into The Holiday Spirit”

Here we go. Damn it all. (Photo: Brian Koprowski/flickr)

The NHL announced that they have cancelled all regular season games through October 24. That includes five Blackhawks games.

• Saturday, October 13 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
• Tuesday, October 16 @ Winnipeg Jets
• Thursday, October 18 vs. Colorado Avalanche
• Saturday, October 20 vs. Detroit Red Wings
• Tuesday, October 23 @ St. Louis Blues

If you have already bought tickets to any of these games, keep an eye on your email to find out how to get your money back.

» Continue reading “Fresh Brew: Five Blackhawks Games Lost To NHL Lockout”

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”

Another year of this guy! (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

This afternoon, the IceHogs announced that they signed defenseman Ben Youds to a one year AHL contract for the 2012-13 season.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Re-Sign Youds”

Photo Credit: Kim Wrona

The end of week 22 featured two more divisional games for the IceHogs. This time both were on the road and came in Milwaukee and Peoria.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Thursday: Hogs Grab Four Points On The Road”

Photo Credit: Kim Wrona

This past weekend was a big one for the IceHogs. It featured three games in three nights for the sixth time this year, and all of the games were against Midwest Division rivals. A midweek matchup against Abbotsford was also on Rockford’s plate.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Thursday: We’re Going Sweeping!”

Photo Credit: Kim Wrona

The IceHogs were looking to continue the roll they were on going into the all-star break with huge matchups against the Wolves and the Monsters. Due to the battle the Hogs are in to get into eighth place in the Western Conference standings, these points on the line could help catapult them up closer to where they need to be.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Thursday: February Doesn’t Provide The Best Of Starts To A Month”

Photo: Kim Wrona

The IceHogs made their way deep into the heart of Texas for this swing of the road trip that started in Peoria on New Year’s Eve.  After playing three games in three days, they headed on back to Illinois for a midweek matchup with the Wolves in Chicago.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Thursday: The Road Trip Continues”

The IceHogs congratulate Alec Richards after their 6-4 win on Friday in Peoria. (Photo: Kim Wrona)

The IceHogs came into week four’s weekend on a  low note after losing their last three games. Their home-and-home series against the Peoria Rivermen gave them an opportunity to snag four points against a division rival and get back on the winning track.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Thursday: Rockford Splits Home-and-Home”