I would like to thank the Rockford IceHogs organization and Dana Grey before I begin this article. Thanks to Dana and the IceHogs’ generosity, I was given the opportunity to attend a Hogs game and gain valuable insight on the organization. This article will chronicle Friday’s game against the Chicago Wolves, along with observations about both the arena and game day experience.
BMO Center
The Rockford IceHogs stand for the anthem in the newly renovated BMO Center. (Photo courtesy of Jenna Spanola / Rockford IceHogs)
BMO Center, first opened in 1981, has seen many updates in its existence, but none more dramatic than the upgrades given to the center beginning in the fall of 2023. The Chicago Blackhawks, who have owned the IceHogs since 2021, partnered with the City of Rockford, the Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to invest $23 million to reinvent the arena.
The renovations, finished before the season started, show how much value the Blackhawks put into their AHL affiliate. A new video scoreboard, upgraded 100-level seats and entirely new 200-level seats enhance the experience for fans. The contrast between the all-black seats and the ice draws focus directly to the action. The arena has become state of the art, and provides fans with the best the AHL has to offer.
Since buying the Hogs in 2021, the connection between the Blackhawks and their AHL affiliate has been emphasized extensively. On the 200-level concourse, there is an entire wall dedicated to the history of the IceHogs and the NHL players who have come from Rockford, many of whom became Blackhawks.
The most evident connection can be seen in the rafters. In 2023, Blackhawks and IceHogs goaltender Corey Crawford had his No. 29 retired by Rockford, becoming the first and only player to have his number retired by the IceHogs. With these connections, the message becomes clear: the road to the United Center runs through BMO Center. The Blackhawks clearly value the importance of their AHL affiliate to their success, and want every fan who enters the arena to know that.
Pre-game observations
Brett Seney takes the time to speak with Dana Grey before his 400th professional game. (Photo courtesy of Kristin Ostrowski / Rockford IceHogs)
The young IceHogs get ready for games the same way many professional teams do. Before getting into gear, they flock to the hallway, juggling a soccer ball between themselves to work on hand-eye coordination and balance. Others, like Frank Nazar, can be seen bouncing a tennis ball off the wall with their stick to get ready. Players were energetic, ready to play their first game in nearly a week.
Roughly an hour before puck drop, as the IceHogs faithful begin to fill up the BMO Center, the Rockford players took to the ice to continue warmups. The Friday night crowd was immense. That night, Rockford ran a promotion where the first 1,500 fans received a hat created by a local artist. The IceHogs also provided the fans with $2 beers, a promotion run during every Friday home game. Warmups were the standard procedure, with players on both sides getting a feel for the ice before the contest began. As players of both teams began to head back into their locker rooms, Artyom Levshunov remained on the ice. Levshunov stayed on the ice longer than any player on either side before the game, continuing to work on his shot and his skating before finally leaving the ice.
Game observations
Landon Slaggert scores the Hogs’ second power play goal of the night. (Photo courtesy of Kristin Ostrowski / Rockford IceHogs)
First period
Rockford, wearing their Steel City alternate uniforms, came out strong against the Wolves. Dominating possession and keeping Chicago on its heels, The Hogs took an early lead on a goal by Colton Dach, set up by team point leader Nazar.
The lead did not last long. Wolves forward Tyson Jost scored 25 seconds later to tie the contest.
Later in the frame, on a power play following a cross-check by Jost, Nazar ripped one by the Wolves’ goaltender to gave Rockford a 2–1 lead at the midway point that would hold for the rest of the period.
Second period
The game grinded to a physical halt in the second period. No goals were scored, but plenty of action was seen. Four total penalties were assessed, two for both squads, the most intense penalty being given to Chicago winger Juha Jaaska. After Austin Strand leveled Wolves defenseman Domenick Fensore in the Hogs’ zone, Jaaska cross-checked Strand, leading to a Rockford power play. The hit by Strand caused Fensore to leave immediately for the locker room.
Despite the multiple penalties, neither side could score a goal, thanks to the incredible work in net. Rockford goalie Drew Commesso made some impressive saves during the period, leaving the score at 2–1 going into the third period.
Third period
The story for Rockford flipped upside down in the final period. It became clear that Rockford could not keep up with the speed of Chicago, and it led to odd-man rushes for the Wolves. On a Hogs power play, Chicago was able to take advantage of an overly aggressive unit to fly down the ice for a shorthanded goal, tying the game. The IceHogs were able to recover on the same power play, with Levshunov having his best shift of the season, setting up Landon Slaggert for the power play goal.
With a 3–2 lead and 12 minutes to go, it looked like Rockford could hang on for the win. Unfortunately, the wheels began to fall off halfway through the period. The Wolves tied it just before the 10-minute mark. With five minutes to go, Austin Wagner skated past Ethan Del Mastro, who was stuck on his heels and could not recover in time. Finally, after the IceHogs pulled their goalie with two minutes to go, the Wolves found the empty net, completing the comeback with three unanswered goals to win 5–3.
Post-game observations
Highly touted prospect Frank Nazar shined despite the loss. (Photo courtesy of Rashaad Robinson / Rockford IceHogs)
It is never fun to watch a team run out of gas at the end of a game. Unfortunately, this was the case for Rockford against the Wolves. When playing a team with experience like Chicago, mistakes will lead to odd-man rushes, and the Wolves had many, scoring on some.
Despite the mistakes, the high-end prospects who litter this roster shined the most. Levshunov had his best professional game. He skated with confidence, taking the puck from the defensive zone to the offensive zone by himself, leading the rush as a defenseman. He was bold enough to follow the puck behind the opposing net, while aware enough to know when to retreat and fill in at the offensive blue line. His assist on Slaggert’s power play goal was the cherry on top of his performance.
What has been said about Nazar is even more true in person. He is the best player on the ice every time he steps on it, and a two-point night is proof of it. He is trusted on both the power play and penalty kill, and his two-way style of play should translate well when he is eventually called up, though Blackhawk fans need to understand there is no rush to do so.
To go along with the play from talented prospects, there are positive notes to take from the loss. This Rockford squad showed discipline compared to what is considered a veteran group on the other side. The Hogs committed three penalties, compared to six committed by the Wolves. When on the power play, Rockford scored twice. When penalized, the Hogs remained perfect on the kill. This young team is disciplined beyond its years and should continue to improve as the season goes on.
It would only be right to share observations made away from the ice. The IceHogs faithful are one of the most passionate fan bases in the entire AHL. The packed crowd and their cowbells rattled eardrums throughout the game. Fans young and old cheered intensely for their baby Blackhawks. From the arena upgrades to the crowd atmosphere, an IceHogs game should be on any Hawks fan’s wishlist.
Final thoughts
IceHogs fans young and old cheer passionately for their team. (Photo courtesy of Jenna Spanola / Rockford IceHogs)
From the arena to the atmosphere to the prospects to the play on the ice, the Rockford IceHogs deserve attention. BMO Center provides fans of the IceHogs a professional experience tailored to them. The fingerprints of the Hawks are everywhere, and it is designed that way. The Blackhawks organization values Rockford immensely, and trusts them with their future. Three recent first-round picks are in the care of the Hogs, and their development deserves to be seen by fans in Rockford.
The IceHogs themselves play a defensive-minded, disciplined game, with room for young players to grow and make mistakes. The roster is filled to the brim with recent Blackhawks draft picks. These prospects will learn the hard way many times, and head coach Anders Sorenson knows this. If the success of a former prospect like Alex Vlasic is any indication, Sorenson can form competent NHLers out of these current prospects. The game against the Wolves was a microcosm of this possibility. Mistakes were made, which led to a tough loss, but the talent is there. Lessons will be learned the hard way, but they are being learned. The promise of a better future for the Blackhawks is being paved by the learning being done in Rockford.