Game Preview: IceHogs Open Three-Game Weekend Hosting the Griffins
Rockford, IL- The Rockford IceHogs (22-32-3-2) return to action as they host the Grand Rapids Griffins (43-11-3-1) tonight at 7 p.m. The IceHogs open a three-game weekend, with two home games against Grand Rapids and a road contest against the Chicago Wolves Saturday evening.
The Matchup:
All Time Series: 76-68-7-5
Season Series: 1-5-0-0
Tale of the Tape: Tonight marks the seventh meeting of the season between the IceHogs and Griffins. The Hogs have held the top scoring offense to under two goals twice this season including a 3-1 win on Jan.16th. Rockford will look to extend their win streak to three games as the Griffins come to the BMO Center having dropped their last two contests. Grand Rapids will be missing their top four scoring forwards with John Leonard, Dominik Shine, Sheldon Dries, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard all being recalled to Detroit. The IceHogs' offense has found a spark in the month of March, scoring at least three goals in five of the six games this month.
Team Leaders:
Grand Rapids:
Points- Amadeus Lombardi- 34 points
Goals- Eduards Tralmarks- 19G
Assists- Amadeus Lombardi- 22A
Rockford:
Points- Brett Seney/Dominic Toninato- 43 points
Goals- Rem Pitlick- 17G
Assists- Brett Seney- 31A
Three Things To Know:
Toni Strikes Twice: Forward Dominic Toninato tallied a pair of goals including the overtime winner in Rockford's 4-3 win over the Iowa Wild last Saturday. Toninato, 32, tallied an assist for his third three-point game of the season for the IceHogs. The Minnesota native is tied with Brett Seney for the team lead with 43 points and has seven points over his last five games. Toninato leads the IceHogs with four game-winning goals following his overtime goal Saturday night. The veteran forward is in the first year of his two-year, two-way contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Injury Update: Rockford announced medical updates earlier this week starting with defenseman Cavin Fitzgerald returning to full on-ice participation. The IceHogs' 2024-25 team MVP has missed nearly two months after suffering a lower body injury on January 24. The IceHogs also announced injuries to Olivier Rodrigue, Taige Harding, and Gavin Hayes earlier in the week. With Rodrigue listed as day-to-day, the IceHogs have recalled goaltender Owen Flores from the Indy Fuel.
Picking up Points: The IceHogs enter this three-game weekend having picked up points in each of their previous three games. Rockford last had a three game point streak from Jan. 10- Jan. 16 with a split against Manitoba and a 3-1 win over Grand Rapids. Every point from here on out is crucial as the IceHogs look to gain ground in the Central division playoff race, trailing Milwaukee with 13 games remaining.
2025-26 Matchups:
| Nov. 1 | vs. | Grand Rapids | L 2-4 |
| Nov. 2 | @ | Grand Rapids | L 2-6 |
| Nov. 19 | vs. | Grand Rapids | L 1-5 |
| Dec. 13 | @ | Grand Rapids | L 0-1 |
| Jan. 16 | @ | Grand Rapids | W 3-1 |
| Mar. 4 | @ | Grand Rapids | L 3-7 |
| Mar. 20 | vs. | Grand Rapids | 7 p.m. |
| Mar. 22 | vs. | Grand Rapids | 4 p.m. |
| Apr. 1 | vs. | Grand Rapids | 7 p.m. |
| Apr. 11 | @ | Grand Rapids | 6 p.m. |