Photo by: Nathan Vestal/ Rockford IceHogs

Grand Rapids, MI- The Rockford IceHogs (11-12-2-1) made the overnight trip to visit the Grand Rapids Griffins (20-1-0-1) tonight at 6 p.m. at Van Andel Arena. The IceHogs took down the Milwaukee Admirals last night with a 5-3 for their first home win since Oct. 17. 

The Matchup: 

All-Time Series: 75-66-6-5

Season Series: 0-3-0-0

Tale of the Tape: The IceHogs take back-to-back wins into the state of Michigan to take on the top team in the AHL. The Griffins have won their last nine games and have only suffered one regulation loss through their first 22 games. Grand Rapids have taken the first three meetings against Rockford, winning the last meeting back on Nov. 19 by a 5-1 final. Rockford will take on the Griffins looking to improve a strong 8-4-1 record away from the BMO Center. The IceHogs continue their stretch of taking on top power play units with Grand Rapids checking in with the sixth best man-advantage unit in the AHL. Rockford has had success against other top units in Colorado and Milwaukee over the last two weeks. 

Team Leaders: 

Grand Rapids:

 Points- John Leonard- 28 points 

 Goals- John Leonard- 18G 

 Assists- Amadeus Lombardi- 11A

Rockford:

 Points- Brett Seney- 27 points 

 Goals- Nick Lardis- 13G

 Assists- Brett Seney- 21A

Three Things to Know: 

Misiak Nets First Goal: Fans inside the BMO were treated to an entertaining middle period against the Admirals last night with five total goals and two fights. The third IceHogs' goal would be scored by rookie Martin Misiak who tallied his first professional goal. The 2023 2nd round selection has appeared in 19 games with Rockford this season and had previously been denied of his first pro goal while generating tremendous scoring chances. Misiak recorded his first AHL point on Nov. 1 with an assist against Grand Rapids. The Slovakia native put up 59 points (23G, 23A) with the Erie Otters in the OHL last season. 

Rinzel Tallies Points: Defenseman Sam Rinzel collected another two-point night over Milwaukee with a pair of assists. The Rockford rookie has quickly accumulated four points in his first two games with the IceHogs with back-to-back two assist performances. Rinzel, 21, started the season with the Blackhawks and picked up eight points (1G, 7A) in 28 games. The Minnesota native racked up awards in his final season with the Golden Gophers, including being named the 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. 

GOALIE GOAL: Laurent Brossoit etched his name into Rockford IceHogs history by scoring his first goal late Friday night against Milwaukee. Brossoit's goal came at 18:56 with the Admirals'' net empty. The goal was the perfect exclamation point on Brossoit's conditioning stint with Rockford. The 32-year-old netminder picked up his second win in an IceHogs jersey with 33 saves helping Rockford secure a 5-3 win. The goal was the 25th goalie goal in the 90 year history of the AHL. Brossoit becomes the third IceHogs' goalie to score a goal along with Jaxson Satuber and Collin Delia. 

Heard It Here First: 

Laurent Brossoit on his first goal: 

It was pretty incredible. Definitely not something I expected to even attempt today. I'm happy I got an opportunity and sailed it high enough and long enough." 

2025-26 Matchups: 

The IceHogs will return to the BMO Center Saturday, Dec. 27 against the Texas Stars. The first 1,500 kids 14 and under will get a youth jersey giveaway presented by Westside Children's Therapy. Tickets are available at IceHogs.com