IceHogs Right The Ship With a 2-0-1 Record In A 3 Game Set Against The Texas Stars.
By Jack Masters, IceHogs Contributor, @hogthought on X
ROCKFORD--After a slow start by the IceHogs that saw them fall all the way to last in the AHL's Central Division, the IceHogs picked up the pace this past week against Texas. Going into a week in which the Hogs had a week-day game at home vs. Texas followed by two in Texas Friday and Saturday, I went into it looking at it almost like a mini 3-game playoff series and the IceHogs did not disappoint.
First things first, we all know how slow of a start the IceHogs got off to. Coming into this week the IceHogs were 4-8-0, good for last in the division. The young kids have been showing positive signs but the results were just not there in terms of wins and losses. IceHogs HC Anders Sorensen pointed to the IceHogs success on offense generated off the rush, a stat the IceHogs paced the league in. But, they also were in the bottom half of the league in controlled o-zone time, meaning the IceHogs, when they had the puck, were a team that generates an elite level of offense....they just never have the puck. Defensively speaking, that had been a struggle as well. The IceHogs came into the week with a goal differential of -12, 31 goals for and 43 against. Not great. But after a week in which the IceHogs defense tightend up a BIT and the offense found ways to generate offense not just off the rush, the Hogs cut the goal diffferential from -12, to -9. A positive sign!
Game 1: Tuesday at the BMO. Hogs 5 - Stars 2
It was another game in which the IceHogs came out flying, controlling the much of the first period and doing a solid job hemming Texas in with a noticeably stronger forecheck, yet Texas found a way to take a lead on a pinball-esque goal from Justin Hyrckowian. Rockford responded a minute later though on a powerplay goal from, you guessed it, Frank Nazar:
Texas did not waste any time taking the buzz back out of the BMO though, getting a goal from Antonio Stranges 24 seconds later. Rockford ended the first period trailing 2-1, yet it felt almost tied after the IceHogs played a noticeably stronger 20 minutes.
The second period may have been the story of the week though. Frank Nazar tied the game for a second time after Landon Slaggert set him up with a pretty pass through the slot to put one over the glove of Hellberg. Colton Dach got in on the fun three minutes later after he pounced on a Landon Slaggert rebound to score his fourth goal of the season, but he was not done. Under a minute later Dach capitalized on a mini-breakaway via-an excellent breakout pass through the neutral-zone by Kevin Korchinski:
It was a dominate second period for Rockford, getting the edge in shots 12-8 and goals 3-0. Rockford's young-guns have been inconsistent at times to start the season, but that period was a shining example of the type of game they can play and win games with as they continue their development. Fast-paced and skilled, yes they may not be the most defensive-minded club around but combine the speed, strength and play-making ability and Rockford's best "defense" may just be an offense that does not give up the puck much.
Rockford wrapped up a 5-2 victory with a Marcel Marcel empty-netter, his first goal of the season. In total, Korchinski, Guttman, Nazar, Dach and Slaggert finsihed with multi-point games, the later finishing with 3 assists.
Game 2: Friday, Icehogs 2 - Stars 1
The Hogs made their return to Texas Friday night for game 2 of the week. After Texas had a goal over-turned, It was Frank Nazar making his return to the scoresheet with his 8th of the season. Brett Seney started the sequence with a great effort to cycle the puck around the net, clearing space for a one-timer to Nazar who snuck it in past Poirier:
Ten minutes later, Gerry Mayhew scored his third of the year off the rush via an excellent breakout pass from Ethan Del Mastro to Zach Sanford who set up Mayhew to go high-glove on Poirier.
Texas got a second period goal from Antonio Stranges but the two IceHog goals were all that they needed as Rockford finished off Texas 2 to 1 in a hard-working defensive battle. Also, quick shoutout to @Chi_Prospects on X. This game was filled with some up and down shifts from Levshunov, saves by Weeks and a big hit from Ethan Del Mastro and for the sake of the length of this article, go check those videos out on his X account. He is truly the go-to account for everything Blackhawks prospect-related.
Game 3: Icehogs 2 - Stars 3/OT
Now my analysis of this game will be limited, due to the fact my wife and I were out and about attending her work's Christmas party (yes this early). But Texas struck first via-a Jack Becker wrist shot past Mitchell Weeks. I will say, I was a bit surprised to see Weeks get the nod in net. Commesso has had a single start over the past two and a half weeks due to a couple of one-day call up's to fill in on the bench for the Blackhawks. It's not often to see a goalie get back to back starts but with where Commesso is in his development, I'd like to see them start challenging him a bit here.
Rockford got goals from Zach Sanford and Cole Guttman in this one, the second one coming with 30 seconds left to send the game to OT and get the Hogs a guaranteed point to finish off a solid week.
Texas got the OT winner ultimately and I won't usually say this about an opposing goal, but good lord was it pretty:
If Frank Nazar wants to recreate that at some point this season (maybe even in OT against the Stars) I would not complain.
Hog Of The Week:
Now for the tough part. After a week like this, sittting back and picking the best performance almost feels like choosing your favorite kid, but here goes nothing.
Landon Slaggert: Now, if you are reading this going, "What about Nazar!" Hear me out. Slaggert finished the week with 3 assists, all coming in the Tuesday game. But add in the assists, his two way game in which he shutdown a couple plays with some hard-working backchecking and you get a valuable week. In reality, you could put Nazar here as well, but with all the love Nazar has deservedly gotten, Slaggert deserves some too.
Recap + The Week Ahead
Overall, a great week for the Hogs. 2-0-1, 5 of 6 points. Can't expect much more than that. Not to mention the great performances by the young talent on this team, really a good week for development. Side note, yet another great job by Mitchell Weeks. 60/65 saves in two starts and going 1-0-1, he continues to be a secret weapon for the IceHogs.
Looking to the week ahead, Rockford hosts the Wolves for a friday night match-up at the BMO. The IceHogs will look to turn the tides on the Wolves after a rough 4-0 loss to them in Rosemont a couple weeks ago. Saturday the IceHogs head north to take on the Admirals and the IceHogs wrap up the weekend with a 3pm game in Rosemont against the Wolves.
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