SCHROEDER�S THREE POINTS, HOLLAND�S HEROICS BOOST HOGS OVER GRIFFINS

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Jordan Schroeder tallied two goals and an assist and Peter Holland capped a see-saw affair with the game-winner in overtime to send the Rockford IceHogs to a 5-4 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins Friday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

With the final minute of overtime reeling off the clock, Schroeder, in one motion, collected the puck behind Grand Rapids’ net and whipped a backhanded pass to Holland, who was streaking open in front of the crease. Holland one-timed the pass to hammer home the decisive tally with just 36 seconds remaining in the extra frame.

Rockford initially cruised early during Friday’s contest, jumping out to a 3-0 lead on goals from Schroeder, Watson and Gilbert. Schroeder converted with the man-advantage for the first of his three-point night, before Gilbert cashed in on a highlight-reel play in which he dove around goaltender Harri Sateri and batted the puck in the net with only one second remaining in the frame.

Grand Rapids clawed its way back into the contest on three unanswered goals over the next 21 minutes of action. Schroeder, however, rifled home a shot from the point at 13:40 in the third stanza to temporarily give the IceHogs a one-goal lead at 4-3.

Matt Puempel ultimately matched Schroeder’s goal just four minutes later to re-tie the game and force overtime. The forward blasted a shot from near the blue line for his team-leading sixth point of the series with Rockford.

Both teams had scoring chances in overtime, but IceHogs netminder Collin Delia stonewalled a breakaway late to halt Grand Rapids’ momentum. Delia finished with 24 saves on 28 shots to pick up his third win in his last four starts.

Next Home Game: March 16 vs. Cleveland | 6 p.m.
The Rockford IceHogs host Dino Night on March 16 at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a FREE bobblehead of Jane, the T-Rex, which is displayed in Rockford's own Burpee Museum of Natural History, courtesy of Register Star Media.