(Editor’s note: all information referenced in this article is through the end of Monday, Dec. 20)
After a slow start to the season, the Rockford IceHogs have been consistent but not particularly impressive in their last eight games. Their 4-4-0 record in that span was enough for them to climb to third in their division, but the IceHogs’ limited offense — just 2.25 goals-per-game in those eight games — continues to hold them back from going farther.
The good news is they received a reinforcement recently: 2020 first-round pick and IceHogs leading scorer Lukas Reichel returned from concussion protocol and looked great in two games.