Blackhawks' affiliate Rockford IceHogs set new franchise win record in AHL era

The Chicago Blackhawks' AHL affiliate Rockford IceHogs had goals from five different players to extend their winning streak to eight games with a 5-1 victory over the Charlotte Checkers on Wednesday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford.

The IceHogs (45-22-5-2) also set an AHL era record with their 45th win of the season, and sit three shy of a franchise best 48, which was set in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.

Phillip Danault, Mark McNeill, Cody Bass, Spencer Abbot and Tanner Kero each scored a goal. Michael Leighton stopped 21 shots to improve to 21-13-4 on the season.

Head coach Ted Dent's club currently sits in fourth place with 97 points, just two points back of first-place Utica. The IceHogs are one point back from the Grand Rapids Griffins, and still have a shot at a Midwest Division title and a top-three finish in the Western Conference with a win Friday night against the Chicago Wolves.

A weekend sweep of the Chicago Wolves and Toronto Marlies, coupled with the Griffins dropping their final two games would give Rockford their first division title since joining the AHL.

The IceHogs close out their regular-season with two home games Friday and Saturday against the Wolves and Marlies, respectively.

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