Jeremy Morin waits for the Brandon Pirri feed that will lead to him scoring the game winning, shorthanded goal on Friday night against the Chicago Wolves. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

For the second straight weekend, the IceHogs faced a three-games-in-three-nights situation. This time in week 23, they faced the Chicago Wolves twice and the Peoria Rivermen. With these big Midwest Division games, the Hogs needed to take, at the bare minimum, 4 out of the 6 points to be right on the cusp of making it into the playoffs; with 6 out of 6 points, they could be in the top 8.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: Fiery Week 23 For Rockford”

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”

¡Ay Dios mio! ¡Mi ojos! ¡Se queman! (Photo: Rockford IceHogs/Facebook)

If you saw Puck Daddy’s post earlier this afternoon, your eyes are still probably stinging from the revelation that the Rockford IceHogs are holding a Los IceHogs Night on November 16, presented by Corona (of course). Not only will the first 2500 people get a pair of annoying maracas, but the IceHogs will be wearing the above jersey.

It’s like Margarita Night at the local taco joint vomited all over it. I have no idea whether to be insulted by Hammy’s Frito Bandito mustache and sombrero or not.

Of course, what else do you expect from a team that plays in a city that voted Taco Bell their number-one Mexican restaurant?

YOU THOUGHT I WAS KIDDING.

» Continue reading “On The Farm: Ay-Yi-Yi, IceHogs”

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”

One more year of Wade! (Photo Credit: milwaukeehockey/flickr)

The IceHogs announced today that the team has re-signed veteran Wade Brookbank to a one year AHL contract.

» Continue reading “Brookbank Re-signs With Rockford”

Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr

The Blackhawks were suspiciously quiet on the first day of free agency, as their only signing was defenseman Sheldon Brookbank, younger brother of Wade Brookbank, who spent some time in the organization (mostly with the IceHogs).

Here’s what Brookbank himself had to say about the deal, according to the Blackhawks:

“I’m really excited,” Brookbank said on a media call Sunday night. “Things happened quick here, but the Hawks were a team I hoped would have some interest in me. They’ve got a young team with a lot of potential here and they’re proven winners, so I’m happy to join and try to help get back there.”

…

“That’s one of the things they said they needed: a penalty-killing defenseman. I played penalty kill in the past few seasons, and it’s one of the roles on the team that I take pride in,” said Brookbank. “If I can help out the team that way, that’s what I’m doing.”

He averaged nearly two minutes per game on the penalty kill, which will probably prove useful once Daniel Carcillo returns to the team.

I would be greatly surprised if this was the last of the moves the Blackhawks make this summer, so keep watching this space.

He's baaaaaaack. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

Week 25 featured three more huge games for the IceHogs as they continue to make their playoff push. They welcomed back former IceHog Jeff Taffe and his Houston Aeros into the BMO Harris Bank Center for two tilts and then made the quick bus trip up to Milwaukee for a Midwest Division showdown.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Thursday: Hutton Strong As Rockford Sweeps”