JURCO NETS GAME-WINNER, BERUBE SHUTS DOWN GRIFFINS IN SHOOTOUT

Rockford, Ill. -- Tomas Jurco scored the game-winning shootout goal, J.F. Berube stopped each of the three shots in the shootout, and the Rockford IceHogs knocked off the Grand Rapids Griffins 3-2 at BMO Harris Bank Center Friday night. Anthony Louis notched two points for the IceHogs, and Eric Tangradi potted two goals for visiting Grand Rapids.

Berube finished the game with 34 saves and improved his record to 3-0-0-0 as the IceHogs’ starter.

Rockford opened the scoring in the first period with a power-play goal from Louis, stretching the forward’s point streak to three games (2g, 1a). Grand Rapids answered with just over four minutes to go in the frame as Tangradi netted his first of the game and season.

The teams spent six minutes apiece in the penalty box during what was a back-and-forth second period before Luke Johnson put the Hogs ahead again with under one minute to go.

The scoreline remained static through most of the third period, but a late bench minor penalty on the IceHogs gave the Griffins the chance to tie the game. Tangradi scored his second goal with 1:28 remaining, deflecting a Ryan Sproul slap shot to send the game to overtime.

Rockford’s Tomas Jurco scored the lone goal in the shootout to win the game for the IceHogs. J.F. Berube turned aside Sproul, Tangradi, and Evgeny Svechnikov in the shootout, while Jared Coreau faced down 36 shots at the other end during regulation.

Next Home Game: The Rockford IceHogs return the BMO Harris Bank Center for their first-ever matchup against the Hershey Bears Sunday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. Sunday is Princess and Pirates night and the second KIDS Eat Free game of the 2017-18 season. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.