ROCKFORD, Ill. -- The Rockford IceHogs travel to Grand Rapids for a showdown with the reigning Calder Cup champion Griffins at Van Andel Arena Friday night. Rockford is 3-0-0-0 through the first three matchups of the series with the Griffins, notching one win in regulation and two shootout victories.
Puck drop is at 6 p.m. and fans can tune in to all the action on Cozi TV 23.3 or Dish Network Channel 252, beginning with IceHogs Warmup at 5:30 p.m. IceHogs fans can also listen to the game at sportsfanradio1330.com or watch live at AHLlive.com (subscription required).
Matchup: The IceHogs (13-9-1-0) take the ice ranked second in the Central Division and having won each of their last two games with victories over the Chicago Wolves and Texas Stars.
Rookie Matthew Highmore notched a goal and an assist in the Hogs’ win against the Stars last Saturday and currently leads Rockford with 10 total goals this season. Overall, the forward has combined for 10g-7a-17pts in his first 23 AHL games to rank third among AHL rookies in goals and sixth in rookie scoring.
Goaltender Jeff Glass played between the pipes during each of the IceHogs’ last two wins and has now earned the victory in seven of his last nine starts. Glass is 7-2-1 on the season with a 3.01 GAA.
Grand Rapids (9-10-0-3) enters tonight’s contest having won four straight home games against the IceHogs. The Griffins are led in scoring by Matt Puempel, who has combined for 8g-12a-20pts in 21 games between Hartford and Grand Rapids, and feature defenseman, Dylan McIlrath, who has skated to a +5 rating while leading the team with 44 penalty minutes.
Next Home Game: The Rockford IceHogs return to the BMO Harris Bank Center to take on the reigning Calder Cup champion Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday, Dec. 9. Puck drop is 6 p.m. and the Hogs will be hosting their annual Girl Scout Night during the contest. Rockford has won each of the first three games in the season series with Grand Rapids, including a pair of shootout victories.