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December 23
JOHNSON�S LATE JOLT HELPS HOGS SECURE POINT IN OT LOSS TO GRIFFINS
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Viktor Svedberg scored two goals and Luke Johnson forced overtime with a marker with just 40 seconds remaining in regulation, but Eric Tangradi potted the game-winning goal in the extra period to send the Grand Rapids Griffins to a 4-3 overtime win over the Rockford IceHogs on Friday night at Van Andel Arena.
With tonight’s final, the IceHogs have notched points in five straight games as they make a push for a berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Cody Franson corralled a pass in front of the net and sent a shot on goal with the Hogs trailing 3-2 in the waning seconds of regulation. Johnson redirected the shot at the last instant and tipped in the game-tying tally to extend the contest into overtime and secure a point for Rockford.
Adam Clendening nearly gave the IceHogs the victory in overtime when his shot rang off the post halfway through the period. However, Tangradi later forced a turnover in the Hogs’ own end and fired home a shot past Collin Delia stick-side for the decisive tally with just 1:07 left on the clock.
Svedberg found twine for a pair of unawered goals for the Hogs, scoring late in the first period and again 10:26 into the second frame. His first multi-goal effort of the season erased Rockford’s early 2-0 deficit and retied the contest until Ben Street put Grand Rapids ahead once more late in the third stanza.
Matt Lorito notched the primary assist on Street’s goal and finished with a game-high three points for the Griffins.
Delia turned away 18 of 22 shots in the contest, while his counterpart, Tom McCollum, stopped 29 of 32 pucks.
Next Home Game: Friday, March 23 | Rockford vs. Milwaukee
The IceHogs host the Milwaukee Admirals at 7 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Friday’s contest is Country Night with a live musical performance from local country band, “StateLine,” who will perform both pre and postgame on Friday. The first 2,500 fans in attendance can also complete their “Our Town, Our Team” bobblehead series with a free bobblehead of current Green Bay Packers defensive end and Rockford native, Dean Lowry. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.
