Rockford, Ill.-The Rockford Hogs are currently idle due to COVID-19 issues and are waiting to resume their 2021-22 season. With that in mind, let’s take a look some numbers of interest for Rockford. First up…
11-11-1-1
On New Year’s Day, this is a great number to spotlight first. This is Rockford’s mark through the first 24 games of the season. The .500 points percentage has the IceHogs in fourth place in the Central Division. Rockford is 5-5-1 at the BMO Harris Bank Center and 6-6-0-1 on the road this season.
2.50
The IceHogs goals per game average. Only Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is less potent than Rockford from an offensive standpoint.
3
The number of wins Rockford owns against its interstate rival, the Chicago Wolves in five meetings this season. The Wolves lead the division with a 20-4-1-1 record. Half of their defeats have been at the hands of the Hogs.
This is also the number of goals scored by rookie Lukas Reichel on November 7. The Hogs only hat trick of the season came in a 4-3 victory over Manitoba.
The IceHogs defeated Iowa 4-3 on December 8, thanks in part to three assists from defenseman Ian Mitchell.
From November 28 to December 3, the Hogs reeled off three consecutive wins, their longest such streak dating back to the 2019-20 campaign. Rockford also has three shorthanded goals this season.
3.21
The average goals allowed per game by the IceHogs this season, something that is not an impressive statistic. However, the Rockford defense has improved dramatically from the first month of action.
4
Games postponed this week due to a slew of players in COVID protocols. This includes interim head coach Anders Sorensen and assistant Jared Nightengale. The IceHogs have not played since December 21; the next scheduled game for Rockford is on January 7, when they host Chicago.
Dimitri Osipov leads the IceHogs with four fighting majors this season. That number is also tied for tops in the AHL in this category.
Rockford has also surrendered four shorthanded goals this season.
6
Players who have at least 15 games of action with Rockford who are still seeking their first goal of the season. This list includes forwards Osipov (19 games), Michal Teply (18 games), Cameron Morrison (15 games), and Andrei Altybarmakian (19 games). Defensemen Ryan Stanton (20 games) and Nicolas Beaudin (22 games) are also looking for their first goal.
On six occasions, the IceHogs have outshot their opponent. This didn’t occur for the first time until December 1 against Milwaukee, when Rockford bested the Admirals 3-1. The Hogs are 4-2 in these six games.
8
Goals scored by both Reichel and Alexander Nylander to pace Rockford.
Fighting majors assessed to the IceHogs this season. Besides Osipov’s four, Garrett Mitchell has dropped the gloves twice. Evan Barratt and Kale Howarth also have a scrap apiece.
9
The number of starts for goalies Arvid Soderblom and Collin Delia this season. The two goalies’ path to those nine games differed greatly.
Soderblom was the primary starter for the early going and has a 4-5 record to go with a 3.15 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. He missed a few weeks with a concussion, which gave Delia a chance to kickstart what had been a frustrating season.
Having started just one game prior to coming off of COVID protocols in mid-November, Delia has played well while taking on most of the load in net. He’s 4-4-0-1 with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
Delia was recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks last week, with Soderblom being assigned to Chicago’s taxi squad on Wednesday.
14.1
The IceHogs success rate on the power play, which is 29th in the league. The penalty kill is faring a bit better at 81.3. That’s tied with Toronto for 18th in the AHL.
17
Days between Rockford’s last game action when they take the ice against Chicago on January 7. Unless more games are postponed, that is.
25.38
Rockford is last in the league in average shots per contest with this paltry number.
32.83
The number of shots, on average, that the IceHogs have allowed nightly. This has dropped a lot in recent weeks as Rockford’s defensive approach has been more effective.
45
Saves made by Soderblom in a 4-3 win in Texas October 30. That’s a high for a Hogs goalie in a victorious effort.
48
Games remaining on Rockford’s schedule, provided all postponed games are rescheduled. That’s a lot of hockey left to be played by a young group of Hogs. Rockford was rounding into form when they went on holiday break. It will be interesting to see how the IceHogs handle the extended layoff and whether or not they can contend for a playoff spot.
108
League ranking (tied) in scoring for Reichel, who is the IceHogs leading point producer with 14 (8 G, 6 A).
2,396
Rockford’s average attendance in eleven home games this season. Attendance is down 22 percent around the league from the 2019-20 season. IceHogs attendance is down 36 percent, second to Manitoba (39 percent) for the biggest drop-off among Central Division clubs.
