Former Red Wing in town Saturday with Rockford IceHogs
The Hamilton Bulldogs can expect a dozen or so more spectators than usual on Saturday night when the Rockford IceHogs make their only regular season appearance at Copps Coliseum
But they won’t be cheering for the Bulldogs.
They’ll be cheering on Peter LeBlanc, a Hamilton Reps and junior A Red Wings graduate who is in his second season with the AHL IceHogs.
“I’m pretty excited to play back at Copps Coliseum,” said the 24-year-old forward, who heading into tonight’s (Wednesday) home game against Peoria, had 16 goals and 15 assists.
His 31 points had been good for third place in team scoring.
But with last month’s trade of defenceman Brian Connelly to Calgary by Chicago (Rockford’s NHL parent club) LeBlanc is now second among Rockford scorers.
Saturday’s game also has playoff implications for both teams.
Rockford and Hamilton have 47 points each, six points back of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
“We’re on a playoff push right now,” LeBlanc said. “It’s a big game for us in the standings.”
The IceHogs are slated to make the 10 hour bus trip to Toronto tomorrow.
They play the Marlies at the Ricoh Coliseum tomorrow night and visit Hamilton Saturday at 7 p.m.
