The Rockford IceHogs announced the Team Awards for the Season this past Saturday night before a sellout crowd of 6,153. For a change of pace, the IceHogs had Season Ticket Holders present the players with their awards.

Winger Ben Smith was named the IceHogs Rookie of the Year. Smith was not present to receive his award as he is currently recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks. On Friday evening, Smith scored his first career NHL goal while playing for the Blackhawks in a game against the Detroit Red Wings.

The IceHogs named defenseman Ryan Stanton "Most Improved Player" for the 2010-2011 Season.

Jeff Taffe was named "MVP" and "Leading Scorer" for 2010-2011 by the IceHogs.

Kyle Hagel was named the IceHogs "Man of the Year" and "Unsung Hero" for his involvement within the Rockford community.

Named the Team's "Heavy Hitter" was team Captain Garnet Exelby.

"Best Defenseman" honors for 2010-2011 went to Brian Connelly.

The IceHogs returned home after a successful 2 week long road trip. As the season winds down, additional players have been added to the roster. Prospects for the Chicago Blackhawks, Philippe Paradis, David Gilbert and Jimmy Hayes all joined the IceHogs while the team was still on the road. Friday night marked their Rockford debut in front of the hometown crowd.

Photo highlights from this past Friday night's 4-2 win against the Lake Erie Monsters.

Pictured Matt Generous and Jimmy Hayes just after a whistle is blown.

Rockford's Brian Connelly scoring the OT winning goal.

The Rockford IceHogs are experiencing a winning streak right now. While this past Saturday night's overtime win against the Milwaukee Admirals wasn't pretty, it was a win none the less. Brian Connelly was credited with the overtime game winning goal, with the assist to Jassen Cullimore.

Saturday night's opening ceremonies held a somber mood, as the night was dedicated to the those who lost their lives in the events of September 11, 2001. On display in the east lobby of the MetroCentre were 2 rather large twisted pieces of metal. Pieces of metal that had once been apart of the World Trade Center towers in New York City. The pieces have been brought to Rockford to become a part of a memorial to First Responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

On Sunday, March 27, 2011 the IceHogs took a short bus ride to the east to Rosemont, IL to meet up against the Chicago Wolves. The IceHogs beat the Wolves 3-2. With that win, the IceHogs swept their week, winning 4 out of the 4 games scheduled. The IceHogs are currently on a road trip, returning to Rockford on April 7th when they host the

Today the AHL handed down a 7 game suspension to IceHogs' player, Evan Brophy for his actions during the March 25, 2011 game against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Brophy was suspended under AHL Rule 28.1 special provisions, according to the AHL website. The suspension will carry through the remaining games the IceHogs have to play in this season's schedule. On a upbeat note, Brophy set a IceHogs franchise record by appearing in his 299th career game on Sunday in Rosemont.

The Honor Guard from local area Police, Fire and Sheriff departments stand watch of the flag draped twisted pieces of steel from the World Trade Center.

The Hamilton Bulldogs made their first and only appearance this season in Rockford this past Friday night. The BOB, or the Big Orange Box as the MetroCentre is affectionately called, was packed with 4933 fans looking forward to a night of exciting hockey.  

Rockford's center, Evan Brophy, was ejected from the game half way through the 3rd period. Brophy received a 5 minute Major penalty, Checking to the head and a Game misconduct for that same infraction. According to Brophy the hit was not intentional, as he was just leaving the penalty box after serving 2 minutes for a Tripping minor. He stated he was getting his body into position to take off and suddenly collided with Hunter Bishop. The collision knocked Bishop unconscious for several anxious seconds. Brophy, during a radio interview on Sunday, stated he "takes full responsibility", "it was not intentional", and "I have apologized".

After 60 minutes of regulation hockey, the score was tied 3-3. Rockford's Jeff Taffe fired a shot through Drew McIntyre's five hole at 1:56 into OT, scoring the game winning goal.

Brian Connelly helps Hannu Toivonen defend the IceHogs' goal during the March 25, 2011 game against the Hamilton Bulldogs.

The IceHogs mark two wins in a row with their big win over the San Antonio Rampage Wednesday night, by a score of 5-1. It was really nice to see the boys play as a team once again. Good jobs boys, let's keep the momentum going!

Defenseman Ryan Stanton scored twice last night and was named the Game's #1 Star and AHL's #2 Star of the Night.

Ryan Stanton chats with a Linesman after having a difference of opinion with San Antonio's Alexandre Picard. Brandon Pirri is pictured with him.

Game action featuring Jeff Taffe, Nolan Yonkman and Jeff May.

Photos from last Friday March 18, 2011 Rockford IceHogs vs Oklahoma City Barons.

Jeff Taffe brings the puck up ice as Bryan Helmer tries to block his way.

Pictured along the boards are Kyle Hagel, Richard Petiot and Wade Brookbank.

The gloves dropped as soon as the first puck of the game hit the ice. Kyle Hagel and Jess Gimblett squared off center ice.

Here are photo highlights for your enjoyment from this past Saturday night's World's Toughest Broncs & Bulls Rodeo in Rockford, IL. Final go round results from the Bareback riding were Jared Keylon, Kansas, taking 1st place and Shawn Minor, Ohio, placing in 2nd. Saddle Bronc winners from the 1st round were Casey McGooden and Ty Kennedy. Both riders failed to have a qualifying ride in the final go round of the night.

Casey McGooden, from Doniphan, NE, is seen riding "Prom Night" in the Final go round in the Saddle Bronc division. McGooden failed to stay on for the full 8 seconds it takes to have a qualifying ride.

Jared Keylon, from Kansas, riding a horse named "Cooter" to a score of 84 in the first round of Bareback Riding on Saturday.

The Rockford MetroCentre was filled with fans from toddlers to seniors, all cheering on their favorite cowboys in the World's Toughest Bulls & Broncs Rodeo, held March 4 & 5th, 2011. Of the twelve contestants entered in the Bull Riding event on Saturday night, only eight were able to complete their ride for the full 8 seconds. Matt Pojanowski of Missouri finished in 1st place with his rides scoring 89 and 92, with Brad Check of Wisconsin taking 2nd with scores of 87 and 90 for his rides.

Brad Check scrambles to get away from the bull "Guilty as Charged", while the Bullfighter tries to distract the bulls attention away from Check.

The bull "Guilty as Charged" continues to go after rider, Brad Check.

Bullrider Brad Check is seen tumbling along the ground after the bull runs over him.

The World's Toughest Bulls & Broncs Rodeo was in Rockford, IL this past weekend for performances on both Friday and Saturday night, March 4 & 5, 2011. Saturday night, Jason Clemons of Winterstreet, Iowa was slated to ride a bull named "Don't mess with the Zohan". Clemons was tossed off Zohan fairly early into the ride, but his gloved hand became caught up in the rope, causing him a few frightening seconds of desperately trying to free himself from the rope and the bull. He managed to keep upright while the bull continued to buck and toss about the arena trying to dislodge both him and the ropes that were tied to him.

One of the show's Bull Fighters, Ben Meyer, jumped to Clemons' rescue, trying to help Clemons get free. The bull suddenly charged Meyer, hitting him with his broad flat head, tossing him up high into the air. Meyer landed hard onto his back on the dirt floor. The bull immediately turns and puts his head down as he tries to get to Meyer again. The show's other bullfighter quickly tries to distract the bull while another member of the Three Hills Rodeo staff tried to distract him from the other side. With the bull's attention distracted, Meyer was able to crawl away to safety. Clemons was then finally able to free his hand and was able to get safely away too. Meyer is next seen standing and checking himself for injury while looking up to watch the video replay. Meyer was not apparnelty injured and was able to finish the show.

Bull Riders use several items to prepare their rope for a ride. According to Bruce Brock, CSRA's 2010 Bull Riding Champion, riders prepare their ropes before a ride using Glycerin, also known as Saddle Soap and Rosin. He prefers using alot of Saddle Soap, to make the Rosin stickier. He states "I pinky too", adding spit to his gloved fingers. There apparently is 3 kinds of Rosin...white, black and super black and they go from not so tacky to good & tacky. The riders first brush any loose dirt off the rope with a wire brush, then they apply the Saddle Soap over the areas of the rope they want tacky. Then they take a rock of Rosin, crumbling it in their gloved hand and briskly rub or "burn" the Rosin into the rope, making it quite tacky to touch.

Zohan the bull tossed Bullfighter Ben Meyer high into the air, while the rider Jason Clemons is still caught up in the rope.

The IceHogs squeaked past the Milwaukee Admirals in a OT win Saturday night in Rockford, 4-3. Ben Smith was credited with the OT game winning goal, with a redirect from a shot fired by Shawn Lalonde. Evan Brophy put the 'Hogs on the board a mere 42 seconds into the 1st frame and Rob Klinkhammer scored twice during regulation play. Milwaukee goals were scored by Kelsey WIlson, Ryan Flynn and Mike Bartlett. 

Rockford IceHogs fans were treated to a special guest at Saturday's game, former Chicago Blackhawk Bobby Hull. After dropping the puck, Hull was seen giving a quick rousing pep talk to the players as he walked off the ice. The always smiling Hull, 72, was on hand the entire evening to greet 400 lucky fans for autographs and dropped the puck in the opening ceremony of the game. Not one to be rushed, Hull was seen still visiting and signing autographs late into the night, long after the game had ended.

Rockford's Ben Smith with the game winning redirect past Milwaukee's Anders Lindback.

This young fan's game day attire is a winning combination. Go Hogs!

Photo highlights from this past Friday night's game.

Alec RIchards.

Drew McIntyre.

The IceHogs' rivals, the Peoria Rivermen, were back in Rockford last night. The 'Hogs met them head on and went home victorious, winning 2-1. Netminder Alec Richards was stellar in net, turning away 34 of 35 SOG the Rivermen sent his way. Richards was robbed of a shutout a mere 2 seconds to go in the game when Peoria's Graham Mink got one past him. Richards was named the 1st Star of the Game for his efforts.

Oops!

Faceoff!

Monster Jam came roaring into the Metro Centre this past Friday night, featuring 3 performances in 2 days. Family entertainment at it's best, for sure. This photojournalist was able to attend her very first Monster Truck Show ever on Saturday night. While the sport isn't entirely unknown to me, it's just something I haven't had the opportunity to view in person. Nothing can beat the rumble of those powerful trucks, when seeing them in person.

The Metro Centre stands were full of happy fans of all ages, cheering on their favorite drivers as they competed. While the floor layout in the Metro Centre is small and limits the trucks somewhat, it didn't seem to hamper the trucks in their movements. At the west end of the arena there were 12 cars lined up in 3 rows for the trucks to perform over. By the end of the night, those cars were mostly unrecognizable flat mangled pieces of scrap metal. Also featured throughout the night was several races by Quad ATV's and a amazing show put on my some very talented BMX riders.

Mechanical Mischief is owned & driven by Jim Burns of Rockford.

Performing for the first time at the Metro Centre was Captain's Curse, driven by Alex Blackwell.