Last week when solicited, you, the loyal Committed Indian Juggalo for the important questions that you need answered regarding this upcoming season, you certainly did not disappoint. Despite a maximum four-banner winning season from our Men of Four Feathers and minimal (by comparison) post-championship roster turnover, there are still some pressing issues facing the club as camp is about to break.
So without further ado, we begin.
This was it. Week 28 in the AHL schedule. The IceHogs had 2 games left in their schedule and they needed all 4 points to keep their playoff hopes alive. They weren’t in complete control of their own destiny though—they needed the Milwaukee Admirals to lose just one, measly game in order for Rockford to make their first playoff appearance since 2009-10. Only half of the plan worked.
The Rockford IceHogs had another big week on tap for week 27 of the AHL schedule. Every point remained precious as they continued their playoff push.
The IceHogs needed to keep on racking up the points in their games in week 25 and Tuesday of week 26 in order to maintain the pace of the Western Conference points race. During this four game homestand, they needed to take at least 6 of 8 points, but they only got half of the available points.
Week 24 of the AHL’s schedule had Rockford playing back-to-back games against the Abbotsford Heat in British Columbia. These two teams are a part of the AHL’s insane fight for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, and that fight got even crazier once the weekend was over.
The IceHogs continued their playoff push in week 23 of the AHL schedule as they faced Midwest Division teams for three consecutive nights over the weekend. They started and ended the weekend with the Chicago Wolves and a contest against the Peoria Rivermen was in the middle of that.
The IceHogs continued their playoff push in week 23 of the AHL schedule as they faced Midwest Division teams for three consecutive nights over the weekend. They started and ended the weekend with the Chicago Wolves and a contest against the Peoria Rivermen was in the middle of that.
With the end of the season creeping closer and closer, the IceHogs found themselves in a 3-games-in-3-nights situation in week 22 of the AHL schedule. In order to stay close in the playoff race, the Hogs needed to take at least 4 of the 6 possible points–and they did just that.
One of the pleasures of a 29 game point streak was the lack of hockey cliches used to describe the Hawks poor play. Flat, lifeless, fatigued, blah, blah, blah. Well no more. After a Edmonton 4 goal first period, all the cliches are back in full force. Luckily, you won’t find that here. Rather, let’s break down the first 4 goals to help show why the Hawks were down four after 20 minutes.
Well it’s over now. But I can breathe somehow.
I think those are important words to remember. I don’t get the impression anyone is really anyone is losing their shit right now, but just in case. Nothing of any real importance was lost tonight. 45 out of 50 points would be telescopically ahead of “acceptable.” What happens in June will still define what’s gone on so far as special or trivia.
Moreover, if this is what makes the Avs season, let them have it. We have bigger fish to fry. There was a time when they used to. It’s obvious they don’t know. The laugh at the end will be more satisfying. And though I’m no mathematician, I’m pretty sure if the Hawks win 21 of every 25 games in regulation from here on out, we’ll have smiles on our face.
Also, we didn’t learn anything tonight we didn’t already know. Or see anything we hadn’t seen. Or get something we didn’t suspect might be coming.