IceHogs’ Comeback Effort Thwarted by Griffins

Grand Rapids, MI. – Matthew Highmore and Philip Holm each brought the Rockford IceHogs within one goal of the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday evening at Van Andel Arena, but a five-goal outing proved too much for the visitors to overcome as the Griffins skated to a 5-2 victory.

Jarid Lukosevicius and Matt Puempel each tallied in the opening 10 minutes of the first period to put the IceHogs down by a pair. However, with 2:30 remaining in the frame, Philipp Kurashev collected a loose puck between the circles and swept it across the slot to a wide open Highmore, who jammed it into the cage to cut the Griffins’ lead in half.

Then, with time winding down in the first, it appeared the IceHogs had tied the game when Anton Wedin deflected a Dylan Sikura one-timer on the power play. However, the goal was waived off when officials ruled the puck was tipped in with a high stick.

Grand Rapids regained its two-goal lead 7:40 into the second stanza, but Rockford again pulled within one when Holm blasted a slap shot through Griffins netminder, Calvin Pickard, to make it 3-2.

That would be as close as the IceHogs would come to tying the contest, though, as the Griffins added two goals in the third to pull away 5-2. Collin Delia finished the night with 19 saves on 23 shots while Pickard notched 25 stops on 27 attempts.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Nov. 16 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins | 6 p.m.
The Rockford IceHogs host their annual Military Appreciation Night Saturday, Nov. 16 against Grand Rapids. Active and former military members will receive a free ticket for this contest. In addition, the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a free pair of camo IceHogs socks, courtesy of Rose Pest Solutions.