IceHogs hit All-Star break with loss to Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Matt Puempel, Brian Lashoff and Evgeny Svechnikov scored in a span of 12:26 in the second period to power the Grand Rapids Griffins to a 4-1 victory over the Rockford IceHogs at Van Andel Arena Saturday night. The loss halts Rockford’s winning streak at two games.
The IceHogs originally took the first lead of the game late in the first period, as Anthony Louis took a William Pelletier pass from his skates to his stick and wired a shot past Coreau for Rockford’s only goal of the game. Louis has now recorded points in each of the IceHogs nine meetings with Grand Rapids this season.
The Griffins responded in the second period with Matt Puempel firing through an Eric Tangradi screen in front of the net to even the score at one. Then, Brian Lashoff put the Griffins ahead midway through the middle frame with a seeing-eye shot from the goal line.
Svechnikov doubled the Griffins’ advantage with a one-time blast from the high slot just over four minutes later. Matthew Ford added a fourth for the Griffins in the third period to seal the win.
Rockford netminder Matt Tomkins stopped 20 shots in his sixth AHL start while Grand Rapids’ Jared Coreau turned aside 16 for his eighth win in his last 10 starts.
Next Home Game: The IceHogs take on the Central Division-leading Manitoba Moose on Friday, Feb. 2 for Jake Smolinski bobblehead night. Puck drop is at 7 p.m., and the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a free bobblehead of Oakland Athletics outfielder and Rockford native, Jake Smolinski. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling 815-968-5222 or at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office. R.