The Rockford IceHogs’ season is on the brink after a brutal 2-1 overtime loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Thursday night. Rockford now trails, 3-1, in the second-round AHL playoff series, and will need to rattle off three straight wins against a talented team in order to keep the season alive.
The IceHogs’ lone goal in the game came from forward Philip Danault, who got one past Griffins goaltender Tom McCollum in the second period to tie the game, 1-1. Things would remain knotted up from there until overtime, when Tyler Bertuzzi scored the game-winning goal just 13 seconds into the extra period.
“I don’t think I’ve ever scored a goal that quick before,” Bertuzzi said to MLive. “… [Andy] Miele just came down off wall and I knew he was going to take a shot on net, and I was just trying to get inside. He shot it, it rebounds out and I just whacked it home.”
It was a stunning way to lose at BMO Harris Bank Center, and now the team will have to recoup and rally from a big deficit with three straight wins, including two on the road, to stay alive. Game 5 will again be in Rockford on Sunday, with possible Games 6 and 7 returning to Grand Rapids.
Of course, there’s another game that day, too, so you’ll be excused if your attention is directed elsewhere.