On Tuesday, the Rockford IceHogs held their weekly media day availability ahead of Game One against the Chicago Wolves in the opening round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. After finishing the season with back-to-back losses to the Wolves, Rockford will turn around and prepare for a Best-of-Five series against the Central Division champions. Over the season-series, the IceHogs and Wolves split their twelve meetings an even 6-6, with the Wolves retaining the Illinois Lottery Cup on tiebreakers.
Rockford IceHogs Media Day Audio
The series, which begins on Saturday at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont (7pm CT puck drop), will be the second time in AHL history that Rockford and Chicago will square-off in the postseason. The only other series came back in 2008 in the second round, and saw the Wolves top the IceHogs on their way to winning the 2008 Calder Cup.
Chris DiDomenico (22) and Adam Clendening (2) of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)
But before all that, take a listen to what head coach Jeremy Colliton, along with Cody Franson, Jeff Glass, Tyler Sikura, and Adam Clendening have to say about the upcoming series and getting prepared for playoff hockey. Plus, hear from Chicago Blackhawks Senior Director of Minor League Affiliations, Mark Bernard, as he gives his thoughts on the 2017-18 season and looking ahead to getting back into the AHL postseason.
Head Coach Jeremy Colliton
Cody Franson
Jeff Glass
Tyler Sikura
Adam Clendening
Blackhawks Senior Director of Minor League Affiliations, Mark Bernard
What’s Next?
Game One of the opening round series between the Wolves and IceHogs begins in Rosemont on Saturday night. Here is the full first-round schedule for Rockford and Chicago:
- Game One – at Chicago, Saturday, April 21 – 7pm
- Game Two – at Rockford, Sunday, April 22 – 4pm
- Game Three – at Chicago, Thursday, April 26 – 7pm
- Game Four * – at Rockford, Sunday, April 29 – 4pm (if necessary)
- Game Five * – at Chicago, Monday, April 30 – 7pm (if necessary)
Winner of the Rockford-Chicago series will go on to face the winner of the Manitoba Moose-Grand Rapids Griffins series in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.