CONNELLY POSTS OVERTIME GAME WINNER IN 2-1 DECISION

Hogs pick up 15 out of 16 points in season series with Griffins

Rockford, Ill.- The Grand Rapids Griffins got off to a quick start with a goal 37 seconds into the game, but the Rockford IceHogs rallied to post a 2-1 overtime win at the Rockford MetroCentre on Monday.

"It was a good way to wrap up the weekend," said Rockford coach Bill Peters. "We just considered this a part of the weekend. We went 2-1, so we can live with that. We needed today's game and found a way to get it done."

Grand Rapids wasted little time getting on the board when Mattias Ritola beat Corey Crawford for his 13th goal of the season at :37 with assists from Logan Pyett and Jeremy Williams.

Center Bracken Kearns got it back a few minutes later when he picked off a pass from behind the Grand Grapids' net and beat Daniel Larsson at 7:53. It was his 12th goal of the season.

Both goalies picked up their play in the second and third. Crawford stopped 25 shots for the win. The netminder kept the Hogs in the game as they faced eight Griffins power plays, holding them off the board throughout.

"It was hard. Everything we had to do was hard," Peters said. "We didn't make real quick plays and didn't execute all that well. But they stuck with it and did a good job."

Larsson stopped 27 shots in the losing effort. Rockford was without a power-play goal in three power-play attempts.

After a quiet final 40 minutes of regulation, Defenseman Brian Connelly found the back of the net at 1:39 into overtime from the point with helpers from Kyle Greentree and Jake Dowell. The blast bounced off a Grand Rapids stick and into the goal.

It was the rookie's fourth goal of the season.

Next Home Game: Friday, Feb. 19 vs. San Antonio Rampage: Game time is 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs baseball hat courtesy of WXRX and 23-WIFR.