ROCKFORD EXTENDS UNBEATEN STEAK TO 12

Griffins trip up IceHogs 2-1 in the shootout

Grand Rapids, Mich.- Corey Crawford was a wall between the pipes for the Rockford IceHogs on Friday night, turning away 38 Grand Rapids Griffins shots in helping the IceHogs extend their unbeaten streak to 12-straight games. The streak ties an IceHogs franchise record. Rockford did, however, fall in the shootout 2-1 to the Griffins at the Van Andel Arena.

The Hogs hopped on the board in the opening frame with a power-play marker from Kris Versteeg. Versteeg picked up a pass from Bryan Bickell and wrapped it around Griffins goaltender Jimmy Howard at 6:13. Center Martin St. Pierre assisted on the goal to run his team season-high point streak to 10-straight games.

Grand Rapids tied it before the first intermission when defenseman Brad Ference slapped his first tally of the season past a screened Corey Crawford at 17:54.

From there on out Crawford and Howard took care of business and the duo’s effort forced overtime and eventually a shootout. In the shootout, Versteeg tallied for Rockford in the second round, but that’s all the Hogs could sneak by Howard.

Grand Rapids received tallies in round five from Evan McGrath and the game-winner in round 6 from Mark Hartigan.

The IceHogs finished the contest 1-for-5 on the power play while holding the Griffins to 0-for-6.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Dec. 22 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs meet up with the Milwaukee Admirals for the first time ever on Saturday when they drop the puck at the Rockford MetroCentre. The first 1,000 fans to the game will pick up an IceHogs Santa Hat courtesy of the Rockford Park District.