Photo: Brad Repplinger
The Grand Rapids Griffins secured their spot in the Central Division Finals on Sunday with a 4-2 victory over the Rockford IceHogs. The Griffins defeated the IceHogs in three out of four games and now await the outcome of the Milwaukee-Texas series.
In Game 4, Grand Rapids saw a goal and an assist from Austin Czarnik, as well as a game-winning goal from Jonatan Berggren in the third period to secure a 3-1 lead.
Carter Mazur and Marco Kasper also contributed goals, while Sebastian Cossa made 21 saves in goal for the Griffins, who had a successful season with six wins in their eight visits to the BMO Center.
Lukas Reichel scored both goals for Rockford in Game 4, with Drew Commesso stopping 21 of 24 shots.
This series victory marks Grand Rapids’ first since their Calder Cup championship win in 2017.
(Grand Rapids wins series, 3-1)
Game 1 – Sat., Apr. 27 – Grand Rapids 3, ROCKFORD 2 (OT)
Game 2 – Wed., May 1 – Rockford 5, GRAND RAPIDS 1
Game 3 – Fri., May 3 – GRAND RAPIDS 4, Rockford 3 (OT)
Game 4 – Sun., May 5 – Grand Rapids 4, ROCKFORD 2
