ROCKFORD — The IceHogs are getting set to return to Rockford and get back on the ice for the first time since the AHL was ground to a halt due to the spread of the coronavirus last March.
But in the meantime, their former star goalies are getting their shots at starting in net for the Chicago Blackhawks.
“I’m not surprised those guys are getting their chances, no,” Hogs head coach Derek King said. “They’ve worked hard for what they’re getting — a shot… And Matt Tomkins has worked hard for his shot, too.”
Tomkins, who was 5-7-1 last year for the Hogs with a 3.12 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage, is expected to be the main starter for the Hogs this year, unless Collin Delia or Kevin Lankinen are sent down. They have both received chances at starting during Chicago’s first four games.
Lankinen got the first NHL start of his career on Tuesday night when the Hawks fell 5-4 to Florida in overtime, while Delia has started off 0-2 for the Hawks and has given up five goals in each of his games.
Lankinen was the lone AHL all star for the Hogs last year. In 40 career appearances with the Hogs over two seasons he has a 15-22-3 record with a 2.77 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage. Delia, who started in net for Rockford over three seasons, is 7-7-3 in his NHL career.
Chicago is 0-4 so far on the year.
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