A look back at Rockford's trip to Manitoba, as well as a look ahead to Rockford's weekend slate.
By Jack Masters, Lead IceHogs Analyst, @hogthought on X
A weekend filled with call-ups, the debut of Arty Levshunov, a Moose home-opener, and first pro points culminated in a split of two games for the IceHogs. Rockford began the weekend short-handed after goaltender Drew Commesso was called up to the Blackhawks after Arvid Soderblom was ill. Ben Gaudreau was recalled from the Indy Fuel to back-up Mitchell Weeks.
Weeks started both games for the IceHogs, who won 5-3 on Saturday but fell 3-1 on Sunday.
Game one for Rockford started slow, Rockford had a few chances but were shutdown on a couple of point-blank saves by goaltender Thomas Milic. The Moose on the other hand jumped on Rockford's fading play in the first, getting goals from C.J. Suess and a deflection-goal from Mason Shaw. The latter coming with 4 seconds left in the period.
Rockford came to life in the second though. Five minutes in, a net-front scramble ended in Gavin Hayes banging home his first pro goal:
Three minutes after that, Cavan Fitzgerald banged home a rocket from the high slot to tie the game at 2 (with Artyom Levshunov getting his first pro-point):
Rockford was not done though. After C.J. Suess took a hooking penalty, Cole Guttman took advantage of an excellent pass from Brett Seney and put one past Milic to give Rockford the lead:
Rockford added on with goals from Colton Dach and Ryder Rolston to cap off a 5 to 3 victory, spoiling Manitoba's home-opener. Mitchell Weeks got his first win on the season, making 29 of 32 saves.
It was a different story in game 2 though, as Rockford controlled the pace through the first minutes of the first. Yet, it was Manitoba who struck first yet again, this time via a short handed tally by Dylan Anhorn. Samuel Savoie quickly wiped that away though, as he struck with a shorty of his own on a beauty of a backhander on a breakaway to net his second of the season:
It was all Manitoba the rest of the way as Dominic DiVincentiis made 30 saves, Brad Lambert and C.J. Suess had goals to give the Moose a 3-1 victory.
Overall, it's hard to be upset if you're the IceHogs. A split of a tough back to back while missing your starting goalie is a solid showing in my book. The young players showed up, using both speed and playmaking ability to aid solid showings from veterans like Cavan Fitzgerald and Brett Seney. Weeks stood tall in net stopping 56 of 62 total shots for Rockford in a tough last minute back to back start due to Commesso being called up.
Rockford also saw the debut of 2nd overall pick Artyom Levshunov, who netted an assist and a +1 rating through his first two pro-games. Watching him shift-to-shift, one thing that stood out to me was his calmness as plays developed. He had a couple great plays to shutdown rushes from the Moose, using both the boards and his combo of reach and skating ability to shut plays down. It will be fun to see Arty suit up on home ice for the first time this coming Saturday, as Rockford takes on the Wolves at 7pm.
Before I dive in to this weekends games, let's take a look at couple notable transactions for the IceHogs as well as a few other points of note.
On Sunday evening, the IceHogs announced the signing of veteran-forward Gerry Mayhew to an AHL Contract for the 2024-2025 season.
First the big one. On Sunday, after the loss to the Moose, the IceHogs broke the news that they had come to an agreement on an AHL contract with impact vet-forward Gerry Mayhew. IceHogs fans may remember Mayhew well, as he was the focal point of the 2019-2020 season for the then surging Iowa Wild. Mayhew lead the club (and league) with 61 points in 49 games, earning the AHL MVP in a covid-shortened season.
The IceHogs broke the news while listing Mayhew as a centerman, but throughout his career Mayhew has played center as well as both wings. Head Coach Anders Sorensen stated in his media availability that Mayhew was playing on a line with Brett Seney on the left wing, Frank Nazar at center and Mayhew at right wing in practice.
This assumedly pushes Landon Slaggert down to the second line with Cole Guttman and Colton Dach, in turn sending Zach Sanford down to the bottom 6. All this gives Rockford much needed added scoring as well as flexibility in lineup construction.
Don't overlook the plus that Sanford joining the bottom 6 could be, he plays a more physical, two-way style of game that frankly has not meshed well with the likes of Cole Guttman and Colton Dach. Sanford joining with guys like Jackson Cates, Samuel Savoie and Ryder Rolston seems to potentially be a much better fit.
Rockford also saw Isaak Phillips recalled to Chicago, again. Alec Martinez is still missing time for the Blackhawks so it's safe to assume the Hogs will be without Phillips for this weekends games.
Ben Gaudreau was also returned to Indy on wednesday, as Drew Commesso was sent back to the IceHogs with Arvid Soderblom returning from his illness.
Now, onto this weekend. Rockford has a two game slate starting with the IceHogs return to the Van Andel Arena for the first time since Rockford faced the Griffins in the opening round of the playoffs last season. Grand Rapids has been on a heater to start the season, winning six of the first seven to tie them for first place with Milwaukee. Rockford has handed the Griffins their only loss to date, a 4-1 win in the IceHogs home opener.
If Rockford will look to re-create the success they showed in that game, they'll need to continue to utilize a quick-in-transition, highly skilled game that this young roster showed in both the win vs. GR and in Manitoba on Saturday. Mayhew coming aboard certainly aids that, as does the flexibilty that comes with that, such as Zach Sanford moving to the bottom six and providing them with a big veteran body.
Saturday, the IceHogs return home to the BMO to re-ignite the I-90 rivalry with the Rose.. I mean Chicago Wolves. It has been yet another rocky start for the Wolves. Now re-affiliated with Carolina, the Wolves have lost five of their first six. A first-year head coach, young roster and zero preseason games have made for a tough trio for the Wolves to overcome. But, IceHogs fans know all to well anything can happen when the Wolves come to town, so Rockford should not take them lightly.
FAST FACTS
87.5% : Rockford's penalty killing percentage after allowing their first two PPG's of the season in Manitoba. Rockford's PK sits at 4th best in the Western Conference.
7.7% : Chicago's PP percentage, good for 16th worst in the Western Conference, a fact Rockford will look to exploit come Saturday.
Seney - Nazar - Mayhew : Reportedly Rockford's new-look top line, Seney and Nazar have combined for six points in the young season, adding Gerry Mayhew could be a big catalyst for the two and an exciting watch for the weekend.
Commence The Arty Party : Chicago's 2nd overall pick in this years draft will make his long-awaited home debut Saturday. There will undoubtedly be a decent number of Blackhawks fans making the trek to Rockford, how will the highly touted 19 year-old fair? Paired with Cavan Fitzgerald for both games in Manitoba, it will be interesting to see if that continues or not.
Eleven. Eleven?! : Grand Rapids has allowed a league-low eleven goals so far this season. (They are currently beating Hartford 1-0 as I write this...) Behind a deadly goaltending trio of prospect Sebastian Cossa, veteran Ville Husso and the young Carter Gylander, the Griffins are set to provide Rockford with a tricky puzzle to solve come Friday night.
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