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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

IceHogs Use McNeill Hat Trick to Defeat Griffins

November 8, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


ROCKFORD, ILL. - Despite snapping a scoring drought that stretched over 115 minutes, the Grand Rapids Griffins found themselves without a win for the sixth consecutive game as they fell 3-1 against the Rockford IceHogs Saturday night at BMO Harris Bank Center.

Mark McNeill led the host IceHogs, scoring all three goals for the IceHogs to bring his season total to a league-leading nine goals.

Prior to McNeill's three-goal night, it was the Griffins who got on the scoreboard first, as Landon Ferraro netted his second goal of the season 3:29 into the contest. He was positioned to the right of Rockford goaltender Michael Leighton when he received a pass behind the goal line from Andreas Athanasiou and shot the puck inside the goalpost.

Rockford (10-2-0-1) tied the game at 10:15 when the offense kept the puck inside the attacking zone despite the Griffins attempts to clear. T.J. Brennan fired a shot from the point through traffic where McNeill was able to score on a rebound off Griffins goaltender Tom McCollum.

The game would remain tied 1-1 until midway through the third period when McNeill caused a turnover leading to a clear scoring chance that proved to be the game winner at 8:29. His shot deflected off the leg of Alexey Marchenko and into the net. The assist was awarded to Stephen Johns.

The Griffins (3-6-1-0) pulled McCollum for an extra attacker in the final minute, but it was McNeill again who found the net as he got the puck and fired a high backhanded shot near the neutral zone faceoff circle in front of the Rockford bench at 19:39.

Leighton turned away 24 of 25 shots by the Griffins, including 22 saves after Ferraro's opening goal. McCollum made 22 saves on 24 shots. Neither team scored on the power play, with the Griffins having two opportunities while the IceHogs had three chances.

The Griffins return to Van Andel Arena Wednesday night when the Lake Erie Monsters visit for a 7 p.m. start.

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