Grand Rapids, MI - The IceHogs suited up bright and early this Wednesday morning for a showdown with the Grand Rapids Griffins inside Van Andel Arena. The Central Division-leading Griffins came in with the AHL's 2nd most-efficient power play (27.8%), and they executed today.

The school day game in Grand Rapids began with some physicality. After some pushing and shoving, Connor Mylymok ignited a tilt with the Griffins' forward Cameron Butler. Mylymok and Butler both landed a handful of good shots, setting up a tense matchup.

At the 13:13 mark of the 1st, the IceHogs capitalized on a great opportunity. With Jacob Bryson and William Lagesson off the ice for GR, the IceHogs got to work on a 5-on-3. In the offensive zone, Derrick Pouliot located a rebound and fired an attempt from the slot, which rang off the top-left post. The shot deflected to a well-located Dominic Toninato just an inch out of the crease on the far side of the ice. Toninato quickly punched it in, and the IceHogs took a 1-0 lead.

With less than five minutes remaining in the 1st, Axel Sandin-Pellika got a good look on a Griffins power play. While playing a man-down, the IceHogs struggled to mark up defensively, leaving Sandin-Pellika with plenty of time to settle himself a step in front of the blue line. Sandin-Pellika's shot went past Stanislav Berezhnoy in net, and the game stood at 1-1. 

The IceHogs couldn't get out of the first period with a tie score. With only two seconds left in the frame, and the Griffins on a power play, John Leonard took a hard shot from the far dot to give Grand Rapids their second goal of the morning. It was a 2-1 Griffins lead going into the first intermission.

Five minutes into the 2nd, the Griffins had another power play chance. This time, Carter Bear was given space on the left side of Berezhnoy. Bear went top shelf and snuck it over Berezhnoy for a 3-1 Grand Rapids lead.

Just under three minutes later, a Griffins defensive stop led to a breakaway for John Leonard. Leonard coasted to the crease, got to his backhand, and scored. The Griffins led 4-1. 

With under two minutes remaining in the 2nd, Landon Slaggert made a move to the bench to complete a shift, but made a heads-up play to stay on and won a puck battle in the offensive zone. Slaggert fed to Martin Misiak, whose attempt was denied, but Toninato netted the rebound for his third goal of the season and his second of the game. The IceHogs brought it back to a two-goal game heading into the 3rd. 

In the opening four minutes of the 3rd, John Leonard created space in the offensive zone and scored his third goal of the game. The goal marked his second hat trick of the season, both against the IceHogs, and his 8th goal of the season, all 8 of which against the IceHogs. The Griffins took a 5-2 lead.

Rockford stayed within arm's reach in the 3rd. After GR's Jacob Bryson laid a big hit on Brett Seney, the puck died in front of the net with no defenders around. Misiak was the only skater in the vicinity who got a good read on the puck and beat Griffin's goaltender, Michael Postava, for a goal. The IceHogs were back within two goals of the Griffins. 

With 3:33 remaining in the game, the IceHogs pulled Berezhnoy to set up a 6-on-5 attack. The Griffins got a stop in their defensive zone, and Carter Bear broke away for an empty-netter to give the Griffins a 6-3 win.

Berezhnoy ends the afternoon with 25 saves, while GR's Michael Postava records 24 stops. 

The IceHogs return to the BMO Center on Friday, November 13th with a 7:00 p.m. puck drop against the Milwaukee Admirals. It's 2000s night in the BMO Center, with special promotions throughout the game. It's also a $3 Beer Friday presented by Bud Light with media partner The X. You can purchase tickets at icehogs.com