Ben Smith scores his first goal of the night during Friday’s tilt against the Rivs. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

Don’t look now, folks, but the IceHogs have strung some wins together and are smack-dab in the middle of a legitimate push for the playoffs. *Knocks on wood* Week 21 brought two more gargantuan Midwest Division games to the BMO Harris Bank Center in which the Hogs needed all of the points that they could get.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: Back In The Hunt”

Shawn Lalonde celebrates his shorthanded goal on Saturday with Brandon Pirri, Jeremy Morin, and Joe Lavin. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

The IceHogs broke out into a much needed offensive explosion in week 19 that propelled them into some favorable results against some extremely tough opponents.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: They’re On A Roll”

Joe Lavin directs traffic, just like he directed the game tying goal tonight. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

The fall down the slippery slope continued for the IceHogs in week 17 as they took on some Texas teams. The Hogs set a new franchise record for consecutive losses with their tilts down South. Guess it only makes sense since everything’s bigger in Texas, right? That also makes a win just as big.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: There Are No Words”

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”

WHAT IS GOING ON

Are you worried that hockey has become too staid? Too gentlemanly? Too concerned with skill over grit? Overrun with soft Europeans who would rather score goals and skate really fast instead of drop the gloves?

Well, if this is you — thanks for reading my blog, Don Cherry. Also, never fear: old-time hockey is alive and well, thriving in Rockford, Illinois (unlike many of its citizens).

The Rockford IceHogs and the Grand Rapids Griffins don’t like each other very much. It’s not just a forced rivalry between the farm team of the Chicago Blackhawks and the farm team of the Detroit Red Wings — there is a genuine, burning hatred between these two teams that leaks from every pore of every player that steps on the ice every time these two teams are forced to play each other.

That hatred boiled over during Saturday night’s game, resulting in the following videos.

» Continue reading “Meanwhile, In Rockford”

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”

Make it rain, Kyle Beach. Make it rain. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

Week nine was filled with Midwest Division opponents for the Rockford IceHogs.  Fortunately for the IceHogs, two of the games were on home ice.  The Hogs also looked to extend their three game winning streak.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: Week Nine Was Not So Fine”

Mr. Ben Smith tallied two game winning goals in week 8. (Photo Credit:  Kim Wrona)

After their home game against the Texas Stars on November 27th, the IceHogs found themselves on a three game road trip that started in Chicago and finished in the Queen City of Charlotte, North Carolina.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: What A Grand Look From The Top”

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”

Señor Playa (a.k.a. Mr. Kyle Beach) scored a goal in Friday’s contest. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

Week six brought about three games for the IceHogs. A mid-week contest saw the Rivermen make their way into town, and then there was a home-and-home with Houston to play.

» Continue reading “Los IceHogs Tuesday: Week 6 Only Brings 2 Points”