Rockford IceHogs Slide in Standings as Scoring, Defense, and Special Teams Struggles Mount
Not long ago, the Rockford IceHogs were sitting in a playoff position, holding down fourth place in the AHL’s Central Division. But since then, things have taken a sharp turn. A 5-12-1 stretch has sent Rockford tumbling to sixth in the standings, and with the postseason picture tightening, the IceHogs are suddenly on the outside looking in.
The issues? They’re not exactly hidden.
In fact, they’re staring the team right in the face - scoring inconsistency, defensive breakdowns, and special teams that can’t find their rhythm. Let’s break it down.
Scoring Woes: Top-Heavy and Unreliable
Let’s start with the offense. In their last 18 games, the IceHogs have managed to score three or more goals just seven times. That kind of output simply doesn’t cut it in a league where depth scoring is the difference between a playoff push and an early offseason.
Brett Seney, the team’s captain and leading scorer, has hit a wall. Since the calendar flipped to 2026, he’s tallied just one goal - and that came on January 3. With only five points in his last 18 games, Seney’s slump has left a noticeable void in the lineup.
The scoring load has largely fallen on the shoulders of Rem Pitlick and Dominic Toninato. Pitlick has been steady, putting up 10 points - including seven goals - since the new year. Toninato, back from a stint with the Blackhawks, has chipped in 13 points and six goals since rejoining the squad on January 3.
But beyond those two? The production drops off fast.
Kevin Korchinski, known for his offensive upside from the blue line, hasn’t found the back of the net and has just five points over that same stretch. Gavin Hayes has managed seven points, and Samuel Savoie has only four - none in his last five games.
When your offense is leaning heavily on just two forwards, opposing teams start to zero in. That’s exactly what’s happening. Pitlick and Toninato are drawing the bulk of the defensive attention, and the rest of the lineup hasn’t been able to capitalize.
Defensive Struggles: Goals Against Piling Up
If the offense has been inconsistent, the defense has been downright leaky. In those same 18 games, Rockford has allowed three or more goals 14 times. That’s a tough hole to climb out of, especially when the offense isn’t firing.
Some of the defensive struggles trace back to Korchinski. While his skating and puck-moving skills remain high-level, he’s had a rough go in his top-pair role. His -18 rating since the team’s recent slide isn’t the whole story, but it paints a picture: he’s been on the ice for too many goals against, and his offensive contributions haven’t balanced it out.
Goaltending hasn’t provided much relief either. Stanislav Berezhnoy has started seven games since the Christmas break, posting a save percentage above .900 in only two of them. Drew Commesso has been similarly inconsistent, with a sub-.870 save percentage in half of his starts over the same stretch.
The truth is, the defense and goaltending aren’t helping each other. The blue line is giving up too many high-danger chances, and the netminders aren’t bailing them out. That’s a recipe for trouble, especially for a young roster still finding its identity.
Special Teams: A Costly Disadvantage
If you’re looking for a microcosm of Rockford’s recent struggles, look no further than special teams.
The power play is sputtering at 13.5%, second-worst in the division, just ahead of the Manitoba Moose. When your offense is already thin and your man-advantage can’t generate momentum, it becomes a glaring issue. Teams are keying in on Pitlick and Toninato even on the power play, and there’s not enough secondary movement or creativity to break through.
On the penalty kill, things look a little better on the surface - an 82.6% success rate puts them fourth in the division - but dig deeper, and the cracks appear. Rockford has allowed 31 power-play goals this season, tied for the most in the division with the Chicago Wolves. Discipline has been a problem, and the IceHogs are spending too much time shorthanded, putting added pressure on a defense that’s already stretched thin.
Silver Linings: Rinzel’s Rise and All-Star Recognition
It hasn’t been all bad. There are still reasons for optimism - and the biggest one might be the emergence of Sam Rinzel.
The young defenseman has made a real impact since being reassigned to Rockford, posting 13 points in 21 games. His play earned him a brief call-up to the Blackhawks, where he made the most of his opportunity with a goal in three games. For a team looking toward the future, Rinzel’s development is a significant bright spot.
There’s also some well-earned recognition to celebrate. Rockford will be well-represented at the AHL All-Star Classic, which takes place on home ice on February 10 and 11.
Korchinski and Nick Lardis were named All-Stars back on January 15, and Seney was added to the roster on February 8. It’s a testament to the individual talent on this roster, even if the team results haven’t followed.
Looking Ahead: Time to Regroup
With 38 points through 47 games, the IceHogs trail the Milwaukee Admirals by four points for fifth place in the division. Milwaukee holds a clear advantage with five games in hand, but Rockford’s recent win over the Admirals on February 7 kept the door open - at least for now.
There’s still time to turn things around, but the margin for error is shrinking fast. The All-Star break offers a much-needed chance to reset, both mentally and physically. If the IceHogs want to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season, they’ll need to come out of the break with renewed focus and urgency.
The push begins on February 14, when they host Milwaukee in a pivotal rematch. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CST.