The IceHogs will make their second trip of the season to Grand Rapids to take on the Griffins. Rockford knocked off Grand Rapids back on October 27th, 6-5, with Brandon Pirri scoring the game winner just 58 seconds into overtime. The Hogs have owned the Red Wings affiliate since joining the AHL. They have an overall record of 19-4-0-4 against the Griffins, including a 8-3-0-3 record at the Van Andel Arena, where tonight’s game will be played.
The IceHogs come into tonight’s match up shorthanded. Andrew Shaw, Dylan Olsen and Wade Brookbank will all be out serving suspensions for their roles in Saturday’s brawl versus Lake Erie. Brandon Saad and Nick Leddy are still battling injuries to add to the Hogs lineup woes. IceHogs leading scorer Brandon Pirri (5 G, 5 A) has a goal and two assists versus the Griffins already this year. Newly appointed captain, Martin St. Pierre will look to add on to his team high 7 assists.
The Griffins come into tonight’s game one point ahead of the Hogs for second place in the AHL’s Midwest Division. Gustav Nyquist is the Grand Rapid’s leading scorer with 13 points (6 G, 7 A). Chad Billins is tied for the most assists in all the AHL with 11. The Griffins have already used three goaltenders this season. Petr Mrazek has been the best so far going 3-0-0-0 with a 1.30 goals against average and .954 save percentage.