RECAP: Weeks Blanks Griffins 2-0 in First Professional Shutout

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Rookie goaltender Mitchell Weeks earned his first AHL shutout on Friday night at Van Andel Arena to give the Rockford IceHogs a 2-0 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins. Weeks stopped all 22 of Grand Rapids’ shots in just his third start of the season and his 15th in the AHL with the IceHogs.

Prior to his call-up to Rockford on Dec. 30, Weeks posted shutouts in two of his last three games with the ECHL’s Indy Fuel. The 22-year-old now has shutouts in three of his last five professional games.

The low-scoring physical contest featured 12 penalties totaling 22 minutes. Despite five opportunities, the IceHogs went 0-for-5 on the power play. Rockford’s penalty kill was a perfect 4-for-4 to hold off Grand Rapids on the man advantage. Rockford also came up with two crucial penalty kills in the third period to preserve the shutout.

Rockford outshot Grand Rapids 22-4 in the first period—the IceHogs’ most shots on goal in a period this season. The Griffins’ four shots against is tied for the fewest allowed in a period this season, and the last time the IceHogs allowed only four shots in a period was on Dec. 16 against the Iowa Wild.

After a scoreless first period, Mike Hardman, the IceHogs’ BMO December Player of the Month, netted his eighth goal of the season just 20 seconds into the second frame. David Gust collected the puck below the goal line and fed the puck to the crease, and Hardman fired a shot over the blocker of Griffins netminder Sebastian Cossa, scoring the only goal of the stanza and taking a 1-0 lead (0:20).

Trailing 1-0 late in the third period, the Griffins pulled Cossa in favor of the extra skater (18:21). Brett Seney stole the puck at center ice and Albert Johansson was charged for hooking from behind, Seney was awarded the empty-net goal to seal the IceHogs’ 2-0 win.

Rockford and Grand Rapids meet again on Saturday night at Van Andel Arena with puck drop at 6 p.m. CT.

Next Home Game
The IceHogs’ next home game is Friday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. against the Chicago Wolves on another $2 Beer Friday! Every Friday home game is a $2 Beer Friday, featuring $2 cans of Bud Light, Budweiser, and Busch Light available at numerous concession areas through the end of the second intermission. Not a beer drinker? You can get a 12-oz soft drink for just $2 every Friday as well!

13th Annual Autism Awareness Night & Jersey Auction
The Rockford IceHogs are proud to host their 13th annual Autism Awareness Night, presented by LawnCare By Walter, Inc., on Saturday, Jan. 20 against the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m. at the BMO Center. The IceHogs will wear specialty “Blackout” jerseys featuring a neon version of the IceHogs primary logo on the crest of an all black jersey adorned with blue and red Autism Awareness-themed puzzle pieces across the front and the sleeves. For more information, visit icehogs.com

Tune In LIVE on the IceHogs Broadcast Network Presented by BMO
Watch and listen to every game this season on the IceHogs Broadcast Network presented by BMO! Listen from your favorite device, at home, or on the road at IceHogs.com and on the IceHogs app and watch LIVE on AHLTV and select games in High Definition on 19.2 Circle TV (Changing from 19.2 to The 365 starting on Dec. 31)! Fans can also tune in on all of Mid-West Family’s local stations including 104.9 The X, B103, 95.3 The Bull, and Rockford Greatest Hits 100.5 and featured on Rock River Current, the Stateline’s premiere source for local events, news and culture.