Rockford Report - IceHogs at Wolves

by Patrick Stankus

On Sunday afternoon while the majority of people on the southside of Chicago were channeling their .1% of Irish heritage at the Southside Irish Parade, this guy felt the need to channel his 1% Canadian heritage and take in the Rockford IceHogs vs. Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena. While it got off to a disappointing start, it actually turned into a very entertaining game.

The disappointing start, can actually be attributed to the lineup decision by the Chicago Wolves to scratch Ben Eager. I mean, how could coach John Anderson scratch a guy like Eager, who has that Cup leadership every team desires? Anyway, despite that disappointing news, Anderson and the Wolves made up for it by starting Adam Burish. Lineup decisions aside, the Wolves decided to do their best Minnesota/Iowa Wild impression by donning special St. Patrick's Day jerseys. What a disaster those are. As bad as the green Blackhawks jerseys are, these ones were 100 times worse.

I'm not going to recap the game, instead I'll point out a few players and how I thought they played.

Antti Raanta - Its hard to say that a goalie who gave up three goals played good, but he did. Granted the IceHogs defense was stellar for 59 of the 60 minutes, but Raanta had no chance on the final two Wolves goals in the final minute of the game. On the Wolves second goal, Raanta had to deal with a pile of bodies in the crease and was down and out. Just 15 seconds later, another defensive breakdown resulted in the Wolves closing the gap to within one. Overall, for a goalie who is now a sporatic starter, I didn't have any complaints with his game.

Mark McNeill - McNeill had a very noticeable game, unlike the last time I saw the IceHogs play. Yes, he found his way on the scoresheet with an empty net goal, but overall he had numerous chances. In my opinion McNeill looks like he is NHL ready, but I'd really like to see how he progresses in the offseason and during training camp.

Phillip Danault -  Overall Danault had a so-so type of game on Sunday. He did record an assist on the Hogs first goal by the Manshitter, but he also took a lazy tripping penalty that gave the Wolves a 5 on 3 power play. Despite getting a taste of the NHL earlier this season with the Hawks, I'd throw him in the same category as McNeill. Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing these two after camp next season.

Spencer Abbott -  Last time I went to an IceHogs/Wolves game, Spencer Abbott wasn't apart of the IceHogs as he was acquired just before the trade deadline. Despite Gate calling him an "AHL Lifer" I have to say I was impressed with him. His goal was a result of a great individual effort in picking off a pass, then danced around defenders, and roofed a backhander for what should have been a highlight reel goal.

Ville Pokka - Pokka is a great example of what could be a good NHL career. He's still a work in progress, but he could also potentially see some time next year. On Sunday, he let a cannon of a shot go from the point, and the Manshitter was able to redirect it in. His skating looked good, but he can use some work when it comes to awareness, but that's what is expected.

Keith Seabrook - For someone who just returned to hockey this past year and was playing in just his second game with the IceHogs, Seabrook was very noticeable on the ice. His positioning and awareness was good for the most part. The aspect I'd like to see him improve on in the offseason is his skating. Again, as I said before, I don't expect Seabrook to play with the Blackhawks, but if it makes older brother Brent happy, and happy enough to take a hometown discount when his contract is up following the 2015-16 season, then I'm all for it.

Trevor van Riemsdyk - To see TVR back on the ice this season is a great thing to see. However after watching him yesterday, I'd hope everyone has realistic expectations for his return. TVR definitely showed signs of rust. He looked like he was missing the extra jump to his skating he had before his injury. He also was a bit hesitant and passive with the puck. All of which is expected as he is just returning, but if you're expecting him to be the same player he was before the injury, you're going to be mistaken. I'd expect him to return to somewhat of form next year after a summer of training in the offseason.

My final thought on the game is, as a result of their win, the IceHogs won the Illinois Lottery Cup, which means, I cannot wait to get some championship swag.

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Down On The Farm ReportIceHogs at Wolves

by Patrick Stankus

Over the weekend I had the joy of taking in the Rockford IceHogs/Chicago Wolves game at the Allstate Arena. It had been a few years since I had been to a Wolves game, and forgot what the experience was like. I was quickly reminded of why I stopped going to Wolves games, when I decided to grow up. I knew it was going to be a rough night when during player intros, I'm assuming what was a diehard Wolves fan (who knew those existed) decided it would be cool to boo me for wearing a Rockford hat. I expected this kind of treatment when I went to Detroit for Game 6 a couple years ago, but I didn't think that this kind of diehard Wolves fans who take their minor league hockey seriously. I mean who doesn't want to look like the biggest bad ass in front of a bunch of boy scouts? Seriously dude, tone down your fanhood. This guy ranked right up their with the tools wearing  an Adam Burish jersey, a St. Louis Blues jersey, and my favorite, a personalized Chicago Wolves jersey.


Following that encounter it was time for the game to get underway, and I was stoked that Lemont native Scott Darling was in net for the IceHogs. I mean its not everyday you see a local hero like that. It still doesn't make up for that selfish Corey Crawford deciding to return for that Columbus game, thus relegating Darling back to Rock Vegas. Talk about deflating. I won't lie, that kind of ruined my Columbus trip. Anyway, back to Saturday's game. So I finally get to see Darling play in person, thinking I'm going to see a glimmer of what I saw in his brief time with the Hawks. Darling was hardly impressive. He allowed not one, but two, weak, unscreened 25  to 35 foot wristers to Magnus Paajarvi. Remember him folks? He was apart of that "H.O.P.E." they once had in Edmonton, (Hall, Omark, Paajarvi, and Eberle.) My how the once mighty have fallen. To make matters worse, Paajarvi's first goal was assisted by 2010 Blackhawks Stanley Cup Champion hero Adam Burish. Barf.

Darling's night in net, pretty much summed up the rest of the IceHogs for the night. Simply put, they were awful. Aside from watching the Manshitter pummel Jani Hakanpaa, there wasn't much to see from the Rock Vegas side. Drew LeBlanc managed to score the lone goal for the Hogs on the night, but the bigger shock is how the hell he and Matt Carey managed to play games for the Blackhawks over the past two years. They are nothing special, and are career AHLers with perhaps a call up or two in their hockey careers. Three others I was looking forward to watching were, Mark McNeill, Klas Dahlbeck, and Ryan Hartman. Now, it is only one game, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, but none of them stood out. Frankly it was just one of those infamous shit the bed performances by the entire team. So, I'll give those three incomplete grades, until I make a trip out to Rock Vegas later this year.

The entertainment of the night belonged to other tough guy Cody Bass. Bass dropped the gloves, but before he could throw a punch, he managed to slip on a banana peel and fall on his ass. Unfortunately for him, the linesmen didn't step in, and Bass had to endure a mouthful of fists from Cody Beach, yes Kyle Beach's younger brother. Bass did manage to make it a respectable fight, but in the end, Beach got the win.

Sadly, other 2010 Blackhawks, Brent Sopel and Colin Fraser did not play for the Wolves, but I did get to see the now mullet sporting Ben Eager. Fire up the Huey Lewis because I feel like I went back in time.

Well, it was only one game, but I was lucky enough to see the IceHogs at their worst. Hopefully next time I pay a visit to Rock Vegas, I'll have a more positive recap of the IceHogs.

All wasn't lost though, at least I didn't have to endure that God awful 4 minutes of 4 on 4, then 3 on 3 overtime. My luck, the game wouldn't have ended there and I would have had to sit through the glorified skills competition known as the shootout.

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Rockford IceHogs at Chicago Wolves - Win Recap

"Can I Play with Madness"
Every time I write one of these Ice Hogs recaps, I think to myself, "Self? I hope I'm far too busy writing Blackhawks recaps the next time a Hogs/Wolves game rolls around to be able to partake". Of course each time, I've been wrong. I have got nothing against the AHL, the Rockford Ice Hogs, or the Chicago Wolves (well, unless you factor in that they are the baby Canucks), but recapping games that feature sand bagging baby Blackhawks in small arenas, in STANDARD DEFINITION are not what I signed up for. I'm a snob and I make no bones about it. I want NHL hockey in High Definition. That is just how I roll, ladies and gents. Of course I'm interested in what happens in Rockford with the prospects, but Chris Block does a much beter job than I, at covering the Hogs. Thanks to the colossal failure that all NHL fans are in the middle of, I'm stuck keeping myself busy by recapping late November minor league hockey. Look at me go!

The Ice Hogs didn't start out so hot, to say the least. They gave up a terrible goal just over a minute into the game, which put them in a rough situation. They seemed to bounce back fairly well, and went into the intermission down only one. That is about the best they could have hoped for, especially outshooting the home team 15-11. The Wolves rebounded in the second, outshooting the Hogs 18-10, but the teams tied the period with a goal each way and the Wolves had a chance to bury them, but the fortunes turned. The third period was all Hogs, with some help from flurry of stupid Wolves penalties. Rockford pulled off a comeback and left with a huge win.

The Good

• After a rough first two minutes, the Hogs ended up peppering Matt Climie with 15 first period shots. At least the boneheaded play didn't get them down.
• The Hogs cut the Wolves lead on a late second period 3-on-2. Brandon Saad hit the third man in, St. Pierre, who was left with a gaping net and didn't miss.
• Jeremy Morin and the Hogs took advantage of a powerplay and some lively board, to tie the game up five minutes into the third period. A wide shot by Clendening ricocheted right back out in front of the net. Saad fought to get possession and blindly shoveled it in front to an open Morin, who chipped it past Climie on the short side.
• Ben Smith redirected a Brett Lebda slapshot just a couple of minutes after the game tying goal, to give the Hogs their first lead of the game. A pretty simple play, as Smith was left wide open. I'm not sure I agree with the Wolves approach on that defensive strategy, but the Hogs will take it.
• Shaw closed out the Wolves night by picking off a blue line pass attempt and getting the empty netter to give the Ice Hogs a 4-2 win. Looks like his time off due to suspension has paid off. He was a plus 1, with a goal, 2 PIMS, and a team leading 6 shots on net.
• Brandon Saad continued his improved play with 2 points, and a plus one on the night.

The Bad

• Jeremy Morin looks to be getting a little full of himself. He tried to stickhandle through about 3 Wolves defenders as his teammates went for a change. Of course, he turned it over at the Hogs blue line and it ended up a quality Wolves scoring chance. Just plain stupid.
• Andrew Shaw led a 3-on-1 just over halfway through the first period, which was turned into a 1-on-1 when Kevin Connauton cut off the passing lanes and the Hogs forwards felt it was best to hold hands and hug, rather than spread the ice. Shaw was left with only one choice; shoot. Climie nicely beat him with the glove.
• A late second period Paradis boarding penalty ended up leading to a Jordan Schroeder Wolves powerplay goal, when Shaw, Leblanc and Lalonde got happy pants and tried to run a shorthanded odd man break. The Wolves took advantage of a covering forward and Leblanc was caught out of position. Schroeder was left all alone on the back door and Hutton had no chance. It was scored just after the penalty expired, but it was virtually a powerplay goal.
• The Hogs blew a huge 5-on-3 powerplay at te end of the second and into the third period. I probably counted 4 shots the entire advantage, which is completely unacceptable. Baby Blackhawks they are.

The Ugly

• Not much more than a minute into the game and the Hogs are picking the puck out of their own net. Clendening and Saad treated the puck like a rotten egg, and it squirted off a board scrum and into the middle of the Hogs slot, where Zack Kassian was standing by himself. Stop me if you know how this one ends. 1-0 Wolves.
• It's pretty clear that Carter Hutton is pretty fucking bad at handling the puck. The first period was a Shanghai Shitfest, when it comes to the Hogs defensive puckhandling, Hutton included. His stickhandling prowess did't get any better as the game went on.
• Kyle Beach took the worst of a scuffle with Zack Kassian, when he voluntarily put himself into a headlock. Really, enough with the theatrics, gents.
• Sam Fels and Chris Block weren't lying when they brought up the parade of penalties that the Hogs take. They continuously shoot themselves in the foot with needless infractions. Believe it or not, as bad as the Hogs were, the Wolves were even worse.

Here are the lines for the IceHogs, last night:

Kyle Beach-Brandon Pirri-Andrew Shaw
Ben Smith-Jimmy Hayes-Leblanc
Jeremy Morin-Martin St.Pierre-Brandon Saad
Philippe Paradis-Rob Flick-Brandon Bollig
Klas Dahlbeck-Ryan Stanton
Adam Clendening-Nick Leddy
Brett Lebda-Shawn Lalonde
Here are the video highlights:

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Rockford IceHogs vs. Chicago Wolves - Loss Recap

"Makin Bacon"
On the same day the NHL announced the cancelation of the the Winter Classic, the Ice Hogs hosted the Chicago Wolves, which meant Chicago area fans were able to take advantage and see some of the baby Hawks play on TV. Good for us, but bad for the Hogs.

The Ice Hogs showed they truly are the baby Blackhawks, by starting off VERY slow. Evn though they outshot the Wolves 15-10, they were down 2-1 going into the first intermission after some very lackadaisical defense. The second period was just more of the same for the Hogs. Three goals on a total of 10 shots still left the Hogs down by 2 goals with 20 minutes to go in the game. There was no big third period comeback in their one. Even though they were able to put 11 shots on net, the Hogs were outscored 2-1 for a third straight period, and sent the Wolves away with a 6-3 win.

The Good

• I know there were issues with Bill Sweatt and the Hawks organization, but damn it would be nice to have him wearing a Hogs Jersey. The guy is SO fast that he looks like Stalberg. He turned Brett Lebda around like a top, late in the first.
• Just when you think Kyle Beach was a useless sack of skin and bones, he snaps off a laser of a wrist shot to tie the game at 1-1. Flick picked up the faceoff and chipped it over to Paradis. Paradis dropped it back to Beach, who was camping out high in the slot. Beach didn't exactly break and speed records getting the shot off, but he beat Lack to the stick side with an accurate shot. It's about time Beach did something constructive.
• The powerplay unit of Kruger, St. Pierre, Smith, Lavin and Pirri brought the Hogs back within two goals, late in the second period. Lucky Pierre and Smith worked a little game of catch until Kruger was able to create a little room for himself. St. Pierre hit Kruger for a one timer that was blocked by Smith, but the puck squirted out to Pirri. Pirri just turned and fired it into the net past Lack.
• Somehow the Hogs centers dominated in faceoffs. I say somehow because they have been so bad lately that Chris Block has reported that Kruger, and Pirri weren't even lining up for their own faceoffs.
• Kyle Beach snapped off another wrist shot that found it's way through Lack for his second goal of the night, with 4 minutes to go in the game. The goal brought the Hogs within 2 goals, but that's all they could muster up.

The Bad

• A Joe Lavin miscue a the Wolves blue line led to a couple of great Wolves chances and eventually the puck in the back of the Wolves net. Lavin tried to make a rush all by himself, had his chip pass blocked, and then dropped his stick. From then on out it was time for the Shanghai Scramble. Eventually, a pass was slickly slid under Lavin and to a streaking Andrew Gordon, who beat Hutton for a 1-0 Wolves lead.
• Lavin's bad first period didn't stop with the goal. He was repeatedly caught out of position and gave the Wolves scoring chances.
• Jeremy Morin really has some snarl to his game. He took quite a few exceptions to some chippiness, which will land him in te ox more than Quenneville would like
• The Hogs powerplay breakout looks exactly like the anemic Hawks powerplay. Four players skate to the blur line and drop it to the trailer, who then has to try and maneuver through 8 players. It doesn't take a scientist to put the brakes on that one.
• Beach's hug-a-thon with Kevin Connauton was a snorefest. Probably the easiest 5 minutes either of those guys ever earned.
• Two goals on 4 shots in the second frame was just unacceptable.
• The Hogs got caught about halfway through the third with a forward (Pirri) covering on defense, and the Wolves took full advantage. Chris Tanev was the lucky recipient of what turned out to be a 2-on-0, and Richard had no chance.
• Hawks for a second Andrew Ebbet was left completely uncovered with just over 2 minutes to go in the game, and he put the little piggies to bed.

The Ugly

• Brett Sterling raced up the middle of the ice on a late first period powerplay and through 4 Hogs players. When all was said and done the Hogs were all staring each other in the face with mouths agape. Sidney Crosby shouldn't walk through 4 players, much less Brett Fucking Sterling. Of course Joe Lavin was the last player to get his hands on Sterling before the puck went in the net. Brutal.
• The Wolves Jordan Schroeder and Tim Miller completely clowned the Hogs shorthanded unit, that was killing a Bollig delay of game penalty early in the second. Miller squirted past Clendening who completely whiffed on a half ass hit attempt, and then slid a pass through Olsens legs to a wide open Schroeder. Schroeder was able to snap of a shot and beat Hutton stick side for a 3-1 Wolves lead.
• Another stupid Brandon Bollig penalty led to a Wolves powerplay and eventually a Bill Sweatt powerplay goal. Peter Andersson was left wide open in the slot, and Jordan Schroeder hit him on the tape with a nice pass. Andersson's shot was stopped by Hutton, but Lavin couldn't tie up Sweatt, who just swept it in the net. That was the end of the nights action for poor Carter Hutton. In came the next sacrificial lamb, Alec Richard.
• The needless penalties are just mind numbing with this team.
• The Hogs goalies were not on their game for this tilt. Six goals on 25 shots won't get you a win in many leagues.

Here are the lines for the IceHogs, last night:

Ben Smith-Brandon Pirri-Jeremy Morin
Brandon Bollig-Marcus Kruger-Andrew Shaw
Peter Leblanc-Martin St.Pierre-Jimmy Hayes
Philippe Paradis-Rob Flick-Kyle Beach
Klas Dahlbeck-Ryan Stanton
Adam Clendening-Dylan Olsen
Brett Lebda-Joe Lavin
And yes, we even have some video highlights for you:

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Rockford IceHogs at Chicago Wolves - Loss Recap

"GOIN HOGGIN!"
Well, here we sit, on October 15th, and the only hockey we can manage to watch is the joke that is the KHL through some kind of ESPN pirate feed, or the AHL. Lets be honest, neither is the quality we are accustomed to, but it will have to do, given the circumstances. Mind you, the fans aren't even offered the AHL team most Hawks fans WANT to watch; unless the Wolves are facing the IceHogs. This madness is all we have, while the NHL and NHLPA continue to measure each others dongs and argue about the length and girth differences. It's getting old REALLY fast, assclowns.

We were given a morsel of Blackhawks hockey on Saturday, as the Wolves beat the Hogs 1-0 in a shootout, and Sunday was game 2 of the opening AHL weekend. No one expected a double shutout and a shootout on the opening night of the season for these two clubs, but that's what they got. The supposed firepower that the Blackhawks left the Hogs with was rumored to provide some serious goal scoring, but that was nowhere to be found against Eddie Lack and the Wolves Saturday night. We were all hoping for something a little more "scorish", for this contest. See? This recap thing is like riding a bike. Right back on for another ride.

The first period opened like a thoroughbred race, going end to end and back, but slowed into a fairly boring period, as the period went on. The Wolves outshot the Hogs, 8-6 for the opening frame, scoring on one of those 8 shots. The Hogs came out in the second period, and looked more focussed, but a shorthanded goal took the wind out of their sails REAL fast. For the remainder of the period, the Wolves had a wild Hog hair up their ass and ended up going into the second intermission up 2-0. The Hogs pulled a page out of the Hawks book, dominating in shots, but tied in goals 3-3 for the period. That was all the Wolves needed to send the Hogs packing and winless for the season. Final Score, 5-3 Wolves.


The Good

• Nothing against Jim Cornelison, but Wayne Mesmer will forever be my favorite anthem singer. Memories of the old Barn, and the '91 All-Star game.
• It was really nice to not have to watch 100 of those insufferably brutal Binny's commercials.
• Martin "Lucky" St.Pierre is a slick little player. This is the first I've seen of him, and he has some serious stick skills. From what I've heard, it's his off ice antics that kept him out of the NHL.
• Dream Warrior, Lucky Pierre, and Scorin Morin hooked up for the first Hogs goal of the season, on the powerplay, if you can believe that. Not really much to it, really. Kruger lugged it around the net and dumped it off to St.Pierre, who took a second and fired it to a wide open Morin across the crease. Morin just jammed it past Lack to breaks HIS shutout streak.
• Just a few minutes after the Morin goal, Marcus Kruger snapped a nice wrist shot past Lack on yet another powerplay.
• Morin scored the third Hogs goal of the game on a very simple play. He skated up the middle and snapped a wrist shot that looked to be slightly redirected by a Wolves defender.

The Bad

• Seeing people in Hawks color sweaters wearing the numbers 18, and 21 is really strange. Most people might not even notice it, but those numbers stuck out like a sore thumb to me.
• The Wolves finally broke Hutton's scoreless streak about halfway through the first, as the Hogs had major trouble getting the puck out of the zone, and Former Hawk for a second Andrew Ebbett scored on what looked like a deflection from outside the left circle.
• Couple of minutes into the second period, and the duo of Leddy and Stanton got caught up, and left the Wolves with a 3-on-1. Luckily, Patrick Mullin hit the post, with Stanton diving to try and poke the puck away. Some things never change, Leddy. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride for Leddy in his own end. Hawks fans have seen THAT a time or two.
• Brandon Saad had two GREAT chances in the middle of the second period and was robbed blind by Lack. The Canucks have to feel really good about their goaltending future with Corey Schneider and Lack in the system. Eddie Lack is a man among boys in the AHL.
• The Wolves took a two goal lead back just after a bad Dylan Olsen penalty, in the third period. Longpre took a pass in the low slot and snapped it by Hutton. St.Pierre got caught reaching for Longpre and Olsen was late getting back into the play following his penalty.
• Former Hawks draft pick Bill Sweatt put the final daggar in the Hogs, as he took a nice feed in the slot and snapped it past Hutton with about 3 minutes to go in regulation.

The Ugly

• Not a minute into the game, and Joe Lavin got his dick absolutely knocked into the dirt by Steve Pinizzotto. Head up, kiddo.
• Shawfacts was up to his usual shenanigans, spearing a Wolves player in the back of the knees after a whistle that negated an upcoming Hogs a powerplay, at the end of the first period. Quenneville would have sat his dumb ass for the next 3 weeks for that shit, minimum.
• Nathan Longpre took advantage of Jeremy Morin playing the point on the Rockford powerplay, and ended up one-on-one with Hutton. Longpre did just what a sniper should do when he's in all alone, shorthanded no less. What is the fascination with this organization and forwards playing the point on the powerplay? 2-0 Wolves.
• Just to prove that they are affiliated with the Hawks, the Hogs showed off their very own dogshit circus powerplay. They finally found their legs in the third period, but they ended up 2-13 for the weekend, with a shorthanded goal against. When you outshoot a team and have 7 powerplays, you should win.
• Brandon Pirri pulled some shenanigans of his own, late in the second, elbowing the Wolves Kevin Connauton in the dome. This could very well lead to a suspension for targeting the head. Way to show off your poise and maturity.
• Noted Canucks Dickbag Zack Kassian took exception to the Pirri elbow by throwing a flying shoulder to the head of Ryan Stanton. I guess the douchebaggery was being spread like a case of herpes on spring break, in Rosemont. Jimmy Hayes was kind enough to rush in and offer up his face as a fist magnet, while coming to Stanton's aid. Hayes earned himself a deuce of his very own for his troubles.
• The third goal of the game was as ugly as they come. Ben Youds turned the puck over on the near boards, and Brett Sterling picked the puck up and threw a simple shot towards the net. Easy play unless Dylan Olsen kicks it into his own cage, which he did. Hutton got NO help from his defense in this affair.

Here are the lines for the IceHogs, last night:

Brandon Saad-Marcus Kruger-Jimmy Hayes
Peter Leblanc-Martin St.Pierre-Jeremy Morin
Ben Smith-Brandon Pirri-Andrew Shaw
Brandon Bollig-Rob Flick-Kyle Beach
Nick Leddy-Ryan Stanton
Ben Youds-Dylan Olsen
Brett Lebda-Joe Lavin
And yes, we even have some video highlights for you:

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