Change is part of the game for teams in the AHL. For the Rockford IceHogs, change has come in waves. On Dec. 5, the Chicago Blackhawks fired head coach Luke Richardson, replacing him with IceHogs head coach Anders Sorensen. With the call-up, Blackhawks Assistant General Manager Mark Eaton was named interim head coach in Rockford.
On Dec. 8, just three days after the coaching change, IceHogs defenseman Kevin Korchinski and goaltender Drew Commesso were called up to Chicago to replace injured Blackhawks veterans Alec Martinez and Petr Mrazek.
The final change was arguably the most impactful. On Dec. 13, the Hogs’ top scorer, Frank Nazar, was recalled to the NHL. With 11 goals and 24 points in 21 AHL games this season, Nazar earned his way to Chicago.
In eight days, Rockford saw their head coach, one of their goalies, their most consistent defenseman and best forward moved away from the team. With most of these changes being made on a tough road trip, the play on the ice seemed to sputter in response. In the three games following the coaching change, the Hogs scored only one goal, being shut out twice.
When asked how focus is being maintained in the locker room and on the ice during these changes, Eaton answered plainly.
“It’s hockey, just encourage the guys to play hockey … just because there’s change … nothing should change for them,” Eaton said following Saturday night’s game.
“They are all world-class players and that’s just the expectation from me and from each other.”
With these comments, the message is clear; even with change, even with some struggles, the players on the ice need to play their game.
Their game would have to be played during their Dec. 14 game against the Iowa Wild. The team’s first home game since all of the changes, it was also a special game for fans and the organization. Saturday’s matchup against Iowa would be a Teddy Bear Toss game. On the Hogs’ first goal, fans would shower the ice with teddy bears and stuffed animals, all being donated to charity following the game.
Pregame observations
Change in sweaters match the changes happening in Rockford. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Vestal / Rockford IceHogs)
The game against the Wild would be the Hogs’ first without Nazar, and the forward lines were shuffled as a result.
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Coming into the contest, Rockford held a record of 8–11–3. Iowa sat just ahead of the IceHogs before the game, with a record of 9–12–1. It was a back-to-back matchup between these two clubs, with the Wild winning in Iowa on Wednesday 5–0.
First period
Colin Felix dropped gloves with Bradley Marek halfway through the first period. (Photo courtesy of Bryan Holliday / Rockford IceHogs)
It was clear from the first period that these teams were well acquainted. An extensive amount of bumps and scuffles after whistles were seen in the first. The tension came to a head when Hogs defenseman Colin Felix dropped gloves with Wild forward Bradley Marek halfway through the period.
Despite the impatience from the home crowd excited to toss their teddy bears, no scoring was seen in the physical first period. Tied 0–0 at the end of the period, Wild held the shot advantage 10–7 going into the second.
Second period
The team comes together to celebrate Colin Felix’s first AHL goal, and the goal that brought down the teddy bears. (Photo courtesy of Jenna Spanola / Rockford IceHogs)
With ample anticipation for a goal, the Hogs did not make the fans wait. At 5:53 in the period, Felix activated the stuffed tsunami. His first AHL goal, Felix beat Wild goaltender Dylan Ferguson from a tough angle.
THE BEARS ARE ON THE ICE! I REPEAT! THE BEARS ARE ON THE ICE!!!
Incredible goal from a tough angle for Colin Felix. What an incredible night for the @goicehogs #GoHogs #blackhawks pic.twitter.com/j7RsXSzSbP
— Jimmy O’Malley (@MalleyJimmy) December 15, 2024
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“(I) was honestly just trying to get a puck towards the net, and good things happen when you put the puck to the net,” Felix said of the goal.
Felix was assisted on the goal by Colton Dach and Austin Strand.
The Wild tied the game at the 9:40 mark of the second period. An odd-man rush, the puck bounced around until it landed on the stick of Hunter Haight, who shot it passed Mitchell Weeks.
The tie only lasted two minutes, with captain Brett Seney sniping a shot beyond Ferguson’s reach. This goal gave Strand his second assist of the game.
The scoring for Rockford continued with an incredible top-shelf shot by Dach from near the goal line.
“When you’re hemming them in … it creates chaos … ice wasn’t very good and kinda fumbled it and then just put a shot and it went in,” Dach said.
The Dach goal that gave the Hogs a 3–1 lead into the third was assisted by defensemen Isaak Phillips and Ethan Del Mastro.
The second period contained a lot of offense, with Rockford outscoring the Wild 3–1, and outshooting the Wild 16–12.
Third period
Jalen Luypen seals the game with an empty-net goal. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Vestal / Rockford IceHogs)
The third period started with some undisciplined play by the Wild. Just six seconds into the third, Wild forward Gavin Hain was penalized for tripping. Although the Hogs did not score on the ensuing power play, they were able to find twine on their second power play of the third. Following a too-many-men penalty on Iowa, Cole Guttman scored on the power play 5:13 into the third, assisted by Seney. With this goal, Guttman now has 50 professional goals in his career.
With the game at 4–1, and following a slashing penalty on Samuel Savoie with 5:01 to go in the contest, the Wild pulled Ferguson for an extra skater. This proved to be the final nail in the coffin, with Jalen Luypen scoring a shorthanded empty-net goal to give the game a final score of 5–1.
Analysis
Colin Felix celebrates his teddy bear toss goal postgame. (Photo courtesy of Jenna Spanola / Rockford IceHogs)
Their first win since the coaching change, the IceHogs hope to keep the positive momentum going. Players and staff understand that call-ups and coaching changes are part of the game, and the comments made by Eaton after the game emphasize that. Although contributors like Commesso, Korchinski and Nazar were removed from the roster, the show goes on.
When asked about the line changes after the game, Dach complimented the entire team for rolling four lines, giving special appreciation to linemate Gavin Hayes.
“He did a tremendous job tonight keeping pucks in, being heavy on the forecheck, making plays; he’s so strong on his stick and the way he carries the puck up through the neutral zone; it’s incredible to watch and it’s fun to be on the same line with him,” Dach said.
Dach was also pleased with the team’s ability to remain disciplined in the midst of a chippy contest.
“We did a really good job of staying disciplined and staying within the whistles and that’s the biggest part … stick within the whistles and play heavy when you can.”
The Teddy Bear Toss was a massive success for Rockford. The IceHogs announced that 3,721 were collected, all being donated to the Rockford community.
When asked if he would keep a bear for himself, Felix joked, “I think they want me to jump into the pile of bears … we’ll see if I can take one.” He later stated that he would not take one for himself, clarifying that all of the stuffed animals were to go “to the kids.”
Final thoughts
Losing multiple players and a head coach creates struggles, but it also creates opportunity. Rockford still has a team filled with veterans who understand their role. The team is also oozing with young talent that fans of both the IceHogs and the Blackhawks should pay close attention to. Prospects like Artyom Levshunov, Landon Slaggert, Paul Ludwinski and those already mentioned in this article will be tasked with greater responsibility. The opportunity is there for everyone, and the team remains composed and ready for the task in front of them.