Tag Archives: Kyle Beach

IceHogs weekly wrap: Hutton leads ‘Hogs back to .500, sets franchise mark; Kyle Beach’s return date and much more

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Chris Block| 1 Comment

By Chris Block

Behind another stellar week of goaltending from Carter Hutton, the Rockford IceHogs picked up five of a possible six points last week to improve their record to 26-26-2-5.

This marks the first time the IceHogs have sat at the .500 mark since way back on October 28th when the team was 4-4-0-0 after a win at Peoria, the same night Kyle Beach went down with a dislocated right shoulder.

The week began on Wednesday night as a flu bug hit the Rockford dressing room.  The IceHogs, weakened also by the Andrew Shaw and Brandon Bollig call ups to Chicago earlier in the week, and without Jeremy Morin, put forth an amazing effort against the visiting Abbotsford Heat, one of the AHL’s best road teams.

Ben Smith was credited with his team-leading 8th power play goal to get the ‘Hogs on the board first.  The goal was originally given to Ben Youds but the official scoring was flipped the next day.  That goal also ended a 0 for 30 slump for the IceHogs power play units.  And they needed just 3 seconds on their first power play of the night to end that nightmarish streak.  The newest IceHog, Matt Fornataro knocked in his second goal in his fourth game since joining the team.  The game went to seven rounds in the shootout with Abbotsford scoring four times on Hutton while Heat goalie Danny Taylor allowed three from the IceHogs.  Rockford lost 3-2 but picked up a point.

Carter Hutton was the only reason the IceHogs were even in the game in Milwaukee after forty minutes on Friday night.  Since signing an NHL contract with the Blackhawks on Feb 24, Hutton has been incredible for Rockford.  The game was a rematch of the goalie-duel from six days earlier at the BMO between Hutton and Atte Engren.  Hutton prevailed in that game winning 2-1 in a shootout.  Engren stopped 35 shots in that game.   In Friday’s contest, Rockford was outshot 33-13 after two periods but the game was tied 1-1 heading into the third period.  In the final frame, the IceHogs got goals from Brandon Pirri (his team-leading 22nd) and Jeremy Morin (13th) to take the game 3-1.  Rockford is now  5-1-0-1 against Milwaukee this season and have five game left with the Admirals beginning with a  home-and-home this coming Saturday and Sunday. Read more »

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IceHogs revert to old ways, 3 games below .500

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Chris Block| 6 Comments

By Chris Block

Wednesday night’s 4-3 loss to the visiting Lake Erie Monsters played out like a tale of two teams for this season’s Rockford IceHogs.

After an opening period which saw the IceHogs pepper Lake Erie’s veteran goaltender, and Chicago area product, Gerald Coleman with 17 shots, but not many second chance opportunities, Rockford went into the first intermission with nothing to show for their efforts.  The IceHogs then came out flat for the second period and quickly found themselves down 2-0 after some unfortunate turnovers.  Despite dominating the first period, Rockford reverted to its October through mid-December form in letting game get away from them on home ice.  By the midway point of the third Rockford was in a 4-1 hole.  But then, the IceHogs of the month of January suddenly reappeared and put up a challenge.  Dylan Olsen unleashed a howitzer of a one-timer to get his team within two goals with less than two minutes to play and a late Lake Erie penalty allowed Rockford to pull within one with 18 seconds to go.

This was the second consecutive game in which Rockford greatly outshot its opponent and lost.  Last Friday in Rosemont, the IceHogs out shot the Wolves 32-18, but lost the contest 4-2.  They were also down three goals with a minute left in that game.

On Wednesday night, Rockford out shot Lake Erie 17-7 in the first period.  None of those chances better than when Rostislav Olesz blew by two defenseman, Cameron Gaunce and Stefan Elliott, then wristed his shot too high over the glove of Coleman, who just got a piece of Olesz’s attempt as well. Read more »

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Shaw, Hayes and Toews overwhelm apathetic Sabres

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Jon Fromi| 2 Comments

By Jon Fromi

The Chicago Blackhawks turned a tight game into a bit of a laugher Wednesday night at the United Center, pulling away behind a big night by Jonathan Toews and Chicago’s surprising rookies. Both Jimmy Hayes and Andrew Shaw both contributed two points as the Blackhawks cruised to a 6-2 win.

Chicago controlled the early going, but it was the Sabres getting on the board first when Brent Seabrook got caught a bit too far up the ice. Marian Hossa, who had just been denied a scoring chance in front of the net by Jhonas Enroth, dumped the puck into the corner. Jochen Hecht gathered the puck and fired a long pass that found the stick of Jason Pominville. The Sabres captain took advantage by beating Corey Crawford top shelf to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead with 9:30 in to the opening period.

Derek Roy was called for hooking moments later and the Blackhawks went on the power play. Hecht took advantage of a puck glancing off the referee and bore down on Crawford for what would have been a shorthanded tally. The attempt struck the post, skidded across the crease, and was kept out of the net by a quick-acting Patrick Kane. Read more »

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TTMI~Radio, e.97, A Feeling of a Hammerhead

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Chris Block| Leave a comment

On this week’s show we open up the listener email bag to discuss topics ranging from Viktor Stalberg’s handsomely prowess to Kyle Beach’s bust-ness to whether or not some legendary Blackhawks should be in the Hall of Fame.

We also compare this year’s Blackhawks to where the team was at this point a season ago and take a look at how the 2010-11 team’s secondary scoring stacks up against the current group.

All this plus more on 2-year old puppy dog behavior, Superstar on the bottom and what’s been bugging Block.

Click the player below to listen or Right-Click Here to Download

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The show returns next Wednesday, January 25th at a time to be determined.

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Podcast Tuesday night

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Chris Block| Leave a comment

TheThirdManin~Radio returns Tuesday night, January 17th at 8pm central.

You’ll be able to listen live here.

On this week’s show, we’ll compare and contrast this year’s Chicago Blackhawks to the 2010-11 team.  Also, we’ll take a look at the Rockford IceHogs’ weekend, why Brandon Pirri and Jeremy Morin were benched in Texas, an update on some injured Hogs and a look at Rockford’s goaltending.

It will also be the long-awaited return of the email bag including questions on trade possibilities, Kyle Beach, Akim Aliu, the Hall of Fame, Toews vs Datsyuk, my puppy dog and the terrible twos.  We’ll have an update on my retirement, how our resolutions are progressing and much more.  Join us on our road to 100.

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Morin scores twice, IceHogs lose to rival Wolves 4-2; Plus Rockford injury updates, Playoff survival and more

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Chris Block| 1 Comment

By Chris Block

Jeremy Morin lit the lamp for his 7th and 8th goals of the season, but a series of IceHogs penalties swung the momentum Wednesday afternoon.  From there, the Chicago Wolves got two third period goals from Mark Mancari to defeat Rockford 4-2.

A mostly school kids field trip day crowd of 6,113 in Rosemont, Illinois witnessed their Wolves down the IceHogs for the fourth time in five meetings this season.

“Our penalty killing did a good job,” head coach Ted Dent said in the wake of the IceHogs’ 20th regulation loss (13-20-1-3).  “I thought some of the (penalty) calls were below average, but what can you do?” Read more »

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TTMI~Radio, e.96 – Random thoughts on Blackhawks hockey, puppy dogs and balls in your shoes

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Chris Block| 3 Comments

On tonight’s edition of TTTM~Radio, we discuss the Blackhawks in the wake of the Patrick Sharp injury and what to look for next.

Also discussed is Block’s puppy dog, how he got his name and the terrible twos.  Plus, more on projecting a generally sunnier disposition, Kyle Beach, Jeremy Morin, Dan Carcillo, Patrick Kane, Niklas Hjalmarsson and some half-season awards.

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http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethirdmanin/2012/01/12/e96-blackhawks-nhl-mid-season-report

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Hawks sign top picks McNeill and Danault, plus Shaw; Podcast Wednesday and more IceHogs notes

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Chris Block| 6 Comments
Mark McNeill – photo: HockeyBroad.com

By Chris Block

We’ve got TTMI~Radio coming up tomorrow night (Wednesday) January 4th over at BlogTalkRadio.com/TheThirdManIn.

Join us live at 8pm central for our annual New Years resolution and predictions extravaganza.  This show should be Super.

We’ll take a look at why the Blackhawks suck against the Oilers, what’s wrong with Dan Carcillo’s brain… how the Blackhawks don’t seem to care about the brains of Marcus Kruger, Brent Seabrook and others… and we’ll preview the week ahead, including the big matchups Thursday in Philly with the Flyers and back at home Sunday with the Red Wings.

Beer, Bacon & Malort

My good friends over at HockeeNight dot com will be hosting some Red Wings fans this Saturday night, January 7th, at Paddy Long’s in Chicago at 1028 W. Diversey.  That, of course, is on the eve of the Red Wings-Blackhawks matchup at United Center the next night.  Hmm.  Beer, bacon and Malort… don’t mind if I do.

–I’ll have another column running in the Committed Indian this Sunday night.

McNeil, Danault gets deals

On Monday, the Blackhawks made official the signings of both of their 2011 1st round draft picks, centers Mark McNeill and Phillip Danault.

Both players will continue with their junior teams and likely be called to the Rockford IceHogs if those seasons end before Rockford’s does, which at this point looks like it’ll be on April 14th. Read more »

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IceHogs notes: Rockford begins 9 of 10 on the road Monday night in Milwaukee

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Chris Block| Leave a comment

By Chris Block

I continue to receive questions regarding Kyle Beach’s status.  There is no real update other than he’s out indefinitely with a severe right shoulder injury.   His shoulder was dislocated during a fight with Peoria’s Stefan Della Rovere in Peoria back on October 28.

Beach’s right arm is currently in a harness.  He’s been telling people he’ll be back before the end of the regular season.  I don’t know for sure if that’s accurate, but there is hope he’ll return sometime in March.

Season on the brink

With the loss to Toronto this past Wednesday night, the Rockford IceHogs home record drops to a dismal 6-11-0-0.  They are 3-2-0-0 over their most recent five home games.  One of those wins came via the shootout.

I suppose its good news that 9 of Rockford’s next 10 games are on the road.  Last season’s IceHogs turned their misfortunes around and finished strong (17-5-1-1) beginning with an early March 7-game road trip.

That current stretch of 9 of 10 begins Monday night in Milwaukee where the IceHogs will face off with third-best team percentage wise in the Western Conference.  The Admirals are currently second in the division behind Charlotte, but they’ve also played five fewer games than the Checkers and trail Charlotte by just two points in the standings.

Rockford is now 11-15-1-2 overall.

% Points Earned-wise, the IceHogs are the 2nd-worst team in the AHL (.431).

By Goal Differential, Rockford (-16) ranks 25th out of 30 AHL teams.

They are 6th in Goals Scored per game (3.1)

However, the IceHogs are dead-last in Goals Allowed per game (3.7).  The Bridgeport Sound Tigers, in the other conference and have no like opponents with the Hogs, are the next-worst, allowing 3.4 goals per contest.

The only team in the AHL with a worse record is the Binghamton Senators (11-19-1-1, .375), which is Rob Klinkhammer’s new home. Read more »

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IceHogs gear up for huge weekend; Kyle Beach update, Dylan Olsen itching, Toledo Hogs and Rockford attendance

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Chris Block| 2 Comments
IceHogs’ center Brandon Pirri – photo: Rockford IceHogs


By Chris Block

Rockford IceHogs (8-10-1-0) drop the puck on a three-game weekend tonight when the Lake Erie Monsters (9-10-1-1) visit the BMO Harris Bank Center at 7:05.  This will be the first time this season Rockford has had to play three games on consecutive days.  They’ll do so again next weekend.  In both cases, the first two games are at home, followed by a game day bus trip on Sunday.

Tonight’s game also marks the return of former Hogs Evan Brophey, Hugh Jessiman and defenseman Mike Brennan.

Brophey comes in on a 4-game point streak (2g, 2a).  He registered his first career hat trick on 11/11/11 against San Antonio.  Brophey turns 25 on Saturday.  His IceHogs/Blackhawks tenure ended in suspension last March when he stepped out of the penalty box and destroyed Hamilton Bulldogs forward Hunter Bishop with an open ice blind side hit.  Brophey received a season-ending 7-game suspension after playing in two subsequent games that weekend before the AHL got around to holding a hearing following the March 25th hit.

Hugh Jessiman had posted a goal in four consecutive games prior to Lake Erie’s 2-1 loss to Houston on Wednesday night.  In 17 games this season, Jessiman has 7 goals and 9 points.  Last season, prior to being sent to the Panthers in the Jack Skille-Michael Frolik/Alexander Salak swap, Jessiman had just 3 goals and 5 points in 25 games with Rockford.  Jessiman was struggling with groin issues while with the IceHogs. Read more »

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