HOGS TRUMPED BY GRIFFINS

Rockford falls 4-1 in GR

Grand Rapids, Mich.- A night after topping the Grand Rapids Griffins in Rockford, the IceHogs couldn't repeat the feat, falling 4-1 at Van Andel Arena on Saturday night.

The IceHogs finished their 10-game season series with the Griffins 3-6-1-0, but came up winless in five tries in Grand Rapids (0-4-1-0).

The IceHogs and Griffins skated to a scoreless first period on Saturday, thanks in part to a couple of dazzling saves from Petr Mrazek in final seconds of the opening frame. Mrazek denied Adam Clendening and Brad Mills late on a Rockford power play to keep the Hogs off the board in the first period.

Rockford did crack Mrazek in the second period to snag the 1-0 lead. Mathieu Brisebois' point shot was deflected past the Griffins goalie at 4:58 for his 13th goal of the season. Terry Broadhurst also figured in on the scoring with an assist.

Grand Rapids fifth power play goal of the weekend tied the game later in the frame. Mitch Callahan got a piece of a Corey Emmerton shot from the right faceoff circle at 10:25 for his 26th goal of the season.

Later in the frame, the Griffins claimed the lead. Rookie Colin Campbell tipped an Adam Almquist shot under Jason LaBarbera for his first career professional goal at 17:17. The marker was the fourth goal on the weekend in which a Griffin skater redirected a puck past LaBarbera in front of the Rockford net.

In the third period, the IceHogs fell behind 3-1 at the 6:46 mark. Nick Jensen found Jordin Tootoo from behind the IceHogs net on the goal line and the winger snuck his fifth tally of the season past LaBarbera.

The game was put out of reach at 16:24 when Teemu Pulkkinen swiped in his team leading 28th goal of the season off a Callahan feed to make it 4-1.

Next Home Game: Sunday, Mar. 30 against the Chicago Wolves. The puck will drop at 4 p.m. as the Hogs wear specialty jerseys to be auctioned off for March of Dimes. It is also a family value day as you can get four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas all for $59.