Grand Rapids, MI - The Rockford IceHogs skated past the Grand Rapids Griffins 5-2 on Saturday night inside Van Andel Arena.

The Griffins came out flying in the opening minutes and got a finish from Alex Doucet on a one-timer that was sent past Olivier Rodrigue.

Rockford rallied with two strikes in the span of 1:22. Ryan Gagnier picked the puck up from behind the GR net and wrapped it around and through the legs of Sebastian Cossa. Moments later, Kevin Lombardi collected in his own rebound at the near circle and snapped it home for a 2-1 lead.

In the 2nd period, the IceHogs penalty kill rose to the occasion and kept the GR offense at bay twice.

The Griffins pulled even 1:07 into the 3rd period when Sheldon Dries finished off an odd-man rush into the Hogs zone. Rockford had an immediate answer less than two minutes. Dmitri Kuzmin snapped in his 5th of the year from the left point to earn a 3-2 advantage. 

Taige Harding and Rem Pitlick added empty-net tallies for Rockford in the final minute and locking up a 26-save Rodrigue win.

Up next, the IceHogs continue their road trip on Sunday, April 12 at 3:00 p.m. CT against the Wolves in Rosemont at Allstate Arena.