The Grand Rapids Griffins had a rough outing on Friday night vs. the Rockford IceHogs. Kyle Criscuolo scored the only goal in a 4-1 loss during the Griffins’ special “Red Kettle” game, but the Griffins rebounded in fine fashion on Saturday night.
Criscuolo scored the game’s first goal for the second consecutive night, but instead of giving up 4 goals to the opponent, Grand Rapids kept coming, with Brian Lashoff, Dennis Yan and Mike Murphy scoring, and Jonatan Berggren salted away the game en route to a 6-2 win over Rockford on Saturday.
Here’s the Griffins website’s recap:
Rockford IceHogs 2 at GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 6
Dec. 4, 2021
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins’ five-goal first period helped defeat the Rockford IceHogs 6-2 on Saturday at Van Andel Arena, as six different Griffins scored in the effort during Country Night.
The Griffins completely controlled the opening frame, recording the most goals (5) in a period this season, beating their previous record of three during the third period against Milwaukee on Nov. 24.
An early Rockford penalty allowed Grand Rapids to convert on its first power play chance of the night. At 3:30, Ryan Murphy took a shot toward net, but missed wide left. The puck bounced off the back boards to Kyle Criscuolo at the goal mouth and he scored the tap-in. Criscuolo’s eight goals now pace the roster while his six-game point streak (6-6—12) is tied for the longest this season for the Griffins.
Twenty-six seconds later, Grand Rapids scored again when Dan Renouf found Brian Lashoff, who stood near the blue line and fired a laser into the net, giving the Griffins a 2-0 lead.
With 12:52 remaining, Turner Elson skated down on a 2-on-1 break and took an initial shot that was saved by Collin Delia. Dennis Yan then came right behind to gather the rebound and put the puck through the legs of the netminder.
At 9:56 in the first, Dominik Shine stole the puck from the defense and skated out on a one-on-one chance. Shine made a nifty move through the defenders’ legs, then worked Delia at the right post for his fourth goal of the season.
After allowing four goals in the opening 10 minutes, Delia was pulled and Cale Morris made his season debut for Rockford.
As time was winding down with 1:09 left in the first, Murphy was by himself when he gathered the loose puck down in the Rockford zone and put the biscuit around goaltender.
After five unanswered goals, the IceHogs finally got on the scoreboard in the second. At 5:32, Carson Gicewicz skated out on a breakaway and beat Calvin Pickard at the left post.
With 1:40 remaining in the middle frame, Alexander Nylander stood at the high slot and sent a rocket into the net, cutting the Rockford deficit to three.
In the final 35 seconds of the period, Criscuolo connected with Jonatan Berggren at the goal crease, and he sent the puck past the right leg of Morris.
A defensive third period by Grand Rapids shut the IceHogs out, giving the Griffins a 6-2 victory.
The Griffins also posted a highlight clip, an interview clip, and a photo gallery:
