The BMO Center in Rockford, Illinois was buzzing this week as the Rockford IceHogs played host to the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic - and the hometown crowd had plenty to cheer about.
Split over two nights, the showcase gave fans a glimpse of the league’s rising stars, and for three IceHogs players in particular - Nick Lardis, Kevin Korchinski, and captain Brett Seney - it was a chance to shine on home ice in front of a packed house of familiar faces.
Tuesday Night: Skills on Display
The festivities kicked off with Tuesday’s skills competition, a fan-favorite event that featured everything from hardest shot to fastest skater. Players were divided by conference, and it was the Eastern Conference that edged out the West 18-15 in the final tally. While the scores were close, the real story was the flair and finesse on display - the kind of raw skill that reminds you just how bright the future of the NHL might be.
Wednesday Night: All-Star Challenge Brings the Heat
Wednesday brought the main event: the AHL All-Star Challenge. It’s a fast-paced, 3-on-3 round-robin tournament where each of the league’s four divisions - Atlantic, Central, North, and Pacific - faced off in quick-hitting, two-period matchups. The top two teams at the end of round-robin play would meet in a winner-take-all Championship Final.
The Central Division - backed by the hometown trio of Lardis, Korchinski, and Seney - came out swinging.
In their opening game against the Atlantic, it was Lardis who made the early impact. He scored the Central’s only regulation goal and then sealed the win in the shootout with a highlight-reel move that had fans - and social media - losing their minds.
It was one of those moments that makes you pause and think, *“This kid’s got something special.” *
Seney Steps Up, Central Keeps Pace
Game two brought a tougher test against the North Division. The Central fell behind early, but Seney answered with a clutch goal late in the first period, roofing a silky backhand into the top corner to tie things up 2-2.
It was a captain’s goal - timely, confident, and executed with precision. Unfortunately, that would be the last time the Central found the net in that game, falling 3-2 to the North.
But the group bounced back in a big way in Game 3 against the Pacific.
Rockford’s All-Star trio all made their presence felt in a dominant 4-0 win. Seney notched his second goal of the night, while Lardis and Korchinski each picked up assists. It was the kind of performance that not only kept the Central’s title hopes alive but gave the home crowd one more chance to erupt.
Championship Clash: Central vs. Pacific, Round Two
With two wins apiece, the Central and Pacific Divisions met again in the Championship Final. But this time, it was the Pacific who had the last word. They skated away with a 3-1 victory, clinching their third AHL All-Star Challenge title in the last four years.
Colorado Eagles forward Jayson Megna earned MVP honors after racking up four goals and seven points in the tournament. The veteran forward, and brother of former Blackhawks defenseman Jaycob Megna, was a force throughout and gave the Pacific that extra gear when it mattered most.
Hometown Pride, Eyes on the Playoff Push
While the Central Division fell just short of the crown, the IceHogs’ trio left a mark. Seney’s two-goal showing, Lardis’ flair and finishing touch, and Korchinski’s steady presence all gave Rockford fans something to rally around. It was a reminder that while the IceHogs are in the thick of a tough season, the talent pipeline is very much alive.
Now, the focus shifts back to the grind of the regular season. Rockford currently sits sixth in the Central Division with 38 points through 47 games - four points behind the fifth-place Milwaukee Admirals, who hold the final Calder Cup Playoff spot.
It’s a steep hill to climb, but if the All-Star break did anything, it was inject a little energy and confidence into the IceHogs’ locker room. And with Lardis, Korchinski, and Seney leading the charge, don’t count them out just yet.