Blackhawks' Shaw Retiring at 29
Andrew Shaw is calling it a career at only 29-years-old. Doctors "strongly recommend" the move due to his history of concussions. 
The former IceHog made his NHL debut in 2012 had helped the Chicago Blackhawks win 2 Stanley Cups in 2013 and 2015 before being traded to Montreal in 2016. Shaw wasn't gone long, though. He returned to the Blackhawks to in 2019. Fittingly, this allows him to step away as a Blackhawk.
Check out Andrews statement, via the Blackhawks, below.
https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/1386666392422948868?s=20
CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK PREVIEW IN THE NIC-10
It’s been a unique year for high school sports to say the least but the students, staff and schools are making the most of their opportunities each and every weekend. This Friday will close out the NIC-10 as only two teams remain with a chance at the ultimate prize, winning the NIC-10 conference!
East routed Freeport last week 52-7 to clinch Division B and a chance to play for a NIC-10 title. Back in Week One Boylan started the season off hot, beating the E-Rabs easily 40-0. After the loss Coach Gary Griffin and his staff made some early season adjustments which quickly turned their season around. Since that opening week loss the E-Rabs have led the conference in rushing yards and have outscored their opponents 220-20. Now that’s a team that dominates on the ground.
East will be playing Harlem this weekend for the battle of the NIC-10 title over at Swanson Stadium. Harlem is currently undefeated, leading the conference in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Harlem’s game last week was originally scheduled vs Boylan but had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols. The Huskies quickly found a new team to play in Prairie Ridge. It was a back & forth battle early on before Prairie Ridge took control. Harlem eventually responded with an epic comeback which included a game winning touchdown grab with about 10 seconds remaining in the game as the Huskies stun Prairie Ridge 43-42! Great game for the Huskies to build some momentum as the team eyes a NIC-10 Championship.
The two stars to watch out for in this game will be two conference greats, NIC-10’s leading rusher CJ Berry from East and Harlem’s QB James Cooper Jr. who leads the NIC-10 in all passing categories.
Game is expected to kickoff around 7pm over at Swanson Stadium! Harlem vs East
IceHogs Welcoming Back Fans to End the Season
The Rockford IceHogs have made it though most of this shortened season without fans being allowed in the BMO, but that's going to change. For their final three games the Hogs will allow a limited number of fans in the building.
Roughly 300 fans will be allowed to attend their final 3 home games at the BMO. Fans will be chosen via a lottery system for the games on May 1st, 9th and 14th. This is all according to a letter sent to
Safety is their primary concern, so along with the very limited number of people in the building, the IceHogs will be doing temperature checks and requiring masks.
IceHogs and Wolves PPD Due to COVID-19
Wednesday's game between the IceHogs and the Chicago Wolves has been postponed. Once again COVID-19 has gotten in the way of this already shortened season with several Wolves players testing positive. 
The good news is it's not an outbreak within the IceHogs. In fact, the IceHogs have been victims of games being postponed and moved all season, but it's never on them. In each case the IceHogs have been healthy.
The next time the Hogs are scheduled to hit the ice is this Friday in Iowa. You'll be able to get all that action, as long as it happens, on Sportsfan Radio 1330!
COVID-19 Halts Oregon Football Season
COVID-19 is getting in the way of the Oregon Hawks football season. They are now in a two week quarantine after a member of the team tested positive. This means that the Hawks game that was set for April, 16th against Rock Falls has been cancelled. The school still hopes to play their final game of the season. That is set for April, 23rd.
NIC-10 Star Sets New Record
Just two weeks after being named the Chicago Bears High School All Star, Harlem quarterback James Cooper Jr. has broken the NIC-10's passing record. Cooper led Harlem to a 26-24 comeback win over Hononegah on Saturday and in the process set the record as the conference's all time passing yards leader. Check out the highlights from WIFR below.
https://www.wifr.com/2021/04/11/harlem-claims-first-win-over-hononegah-since-2016/
Get Paid to Eat Hot Dogs and Watch Baseball
It sounds too good to be true, but if getting paid to eat hot dogs and watch baseball is your dream job you're in luck. BonusFinder is searching for MLB food testers. If watching baseball and stuffing your face sounds right for you click below to apply.
https://www.bonusfinder.com/about-us/blog/mlb-food-tester-get-paid-500-eat-hot-dogs-and-watch-baseball
IceHogs Game Postponed for Saturday Night
The Rockford IceHogs game against the Grand Rapids Griffins that was set for Saturday night has been postponed. COVID-19 protocol affecting the Griffins is to blame. No date for a make up has been given, yet. The next Hogs game is set for Tuesday night in Iowa. You'll get it live on Sportsfan Radio 1330.
https://icehogs.com/news/game-update-icehogs-game-at-grand-rapids-saturday-is-postponed?fbclid=IwAR3Uzn9C9FDPS1cKv9cNy3WyMENXyuHRvCV7nAPZVYNHJJER7y6mqtIdce4
Fred VanVleet Hit with Suspension
Rockford's own, Fred VanVleet was handed a suspension by the NBA for a fight that broke out on the floor during the Toronto Raptors and L.A. Lakers game on Thursday night. VanVleet as well as several other players from both teams were suspended without pay for their actions.
Fred's reaction on Twitter and video of what went down are below.
https://twitter.com/FredVanVleet/status/1380192515391901701
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD4gTesB0_U&feature=emb_imp_woyt
NIC-10 WEEK 4 PREVIEW
Friday’s Games:
Belvidere (0-3) vs Belvidere North (0-3) 6pm kickoff
Guilford (2-1) vs Freeport (2-1) 6pm kickoff
Jefferson (0-2) vs East (2-1) 7pm kickoff
Saturday:
Hononegah (2-1) vs Harlem (3-0) 1pm kickoff
Last week was a big weekend in the NIC-10 filled with big time matchups. East started out with a huge blowout win over RPS 205 rival Guilford back on Thursday night. CJ Berry the conference leading rusher led the way for the E-Rabs in their 32-0 victory over the Vikings. Week 3 in the NIC-10 rapped up with Saturday’s afternoon double header.
Boylan managed to outlast their conference rival Hononegah in a 21-7 home victory. Boylan had some extra motivation on Saturday and got the win in front of some former Titans including current Green Bay Packer Dean Lowry. Things went down to the wire in the late afternoon game between Harlem & Belvidere North. The Huskies were led by star QB James Cooper who currently leads the NIC-10 in passing yard and passing touchdowns. Harlem was able to outlast North in a classic shootout winning 44-42 on the road.
Rivalries get renewed once again this weekend in the NIC-10 with 3 games starting Friday night and 1 game on Saturday afternoon. Last week the NIC-10 was forced to postpone Auburn’s next 2 games which included last week’s game vs Jefferson and this week’s big showdown vs the conference leading Boylan Titans.
The battle of Belvidere kicks off at 6pm between the Belvidere Bucs and the Belvidere North Blue Thunder with both teams still in search of their first win. Guilford travels out to Freeport to battle the Pretzels as both teams look to stay on top in the Division B standings. The final game on Friday night is a classic matchup between RPS 205 rivals East & Jefferson.
All eyes will be on Saturday’s showdown between the Harlem Huskies & the Hononegah Indians. Harlem currently sits atop of the Division standings tied with Boylan and will look to keep their undefeated season alive while Hononegah on the other hand will have to rebound if they want any chance at playing for a conference title.
Division A Standings:
Boylan 3-0
Harlem 3-0
Hononegah 2-1
Auburn 0-2
Belvidere North 0-3
Division B Standings:
East 2-1
Freeport 2-1
Guilford 2-1
Jefferson 0-2
Belvidere 0-3