The Rockford IceHogs Report: Week 7

The Rockford IceHogs tried to get back on track in their three games this week, but fell below .500 for the first time this season. With some injuries up in Chicago, the ‘Hogs got some significant roster changes in the week as well.

picture courtesy: www.flickr.com

Game Recaps

Friday, November 15th @ Grand Rapids Griffins

Kent Simpson got the start in net for the IceHogs as they tried to get back to their winning ways after losing 5 of their last 6. The Griffins and IceHogs traded markers early, but Grand Rapids pulled away with three straight goals, the latter of which being the game-winner. Alex Broadhurst and Joakim Nordstrom made it a game late, but they couldn’t pull out a comeback, falling 5-3. Simpson made 28 saves in the losing effort, while Broadhurst and Jeremy Morin led the team offensively with a goal and an assist each.

Saturday, November 16 vs. San Antonio Rampage

The IceHogs returned back to the BMO Harris Bank Center to face the struggling Rampage, and tried to get only their second home win since October 27th. Terry Broadhurst and Jeremy Morin got the IceHogs going with two first period goals, before the Rampage battled back to tie it. Brad Winchester found the net mid-way through the third period for the game-winner, and Klas Dahlbeck added the insurance marker in the empty net. Antti Raanta had a great 35-save performance for the win, and Bobby Shea took home First Star honors with a pair of assists.

Wednesday, November 20 vs. Abbotsford Heat

The Heat travelled to Rockford for their first meeting of the year, and the second game of an IceHogs’ home stand. Abbotsford pulled ahead early with the first two goals of the contest, before Drew Leblanc made it a one-goal game with this fourth of the year. After another Heat goal, Viktor Svedberg put the ‘Hogs back in it with his second. That was as close as Rockford would come, however, as Abbotsford added the empty-netter for a 4-2 victory. Kent Simpson made 24 saves in the game, and Leblanc was named the game’s Second Star with a goal and an assist.

IceHogs Transactions

The IceHogs’ roster underwent some significant changes in the last week, to make up for some injuries in Chicago:

• Goaltender Antti Raanta was recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks’ lineup, after Nikolai Khabibulin went down with an injury, and was put on Long-Term Injured Reserve.
• Brad Mills was brought back to the IceHogs’ roster after a stint with the Blackhawks.
• Jeremy Morin was recalled by Chicago to fill the void left by the injured Bryan Bickell. Bickell is noted as “more than day-to-day” so Morin could spend quite some time with the big club.
• The IceHogs added goaltender Mac Carruth and newly acquired winger Philip Lefebvre from Toledo of the ECHL.

The IceHogs start Week 8 with a doubleheader against the Charlotte Checkers on the road, before coming back home to face the Milwaukee Admirals. The IceHogs will finish off the week with the first game of a home-and-home against the Chicago Wolves, with the first game coming on Friday on the road.

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s edition of the Rockford IceHogs Report. Check back each and every Friday for the new weekly edition. For more Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs conversation, “Like” us on Facebook: Blackhawk Up, and follow us on Twitter: @Blackhawk_Up. Check back each day for pre- and post-game reports, as well as unique content about the Blackhawks you won’t find anywhere else!