Becher's Third-Period Goal Lifts Grand Rapids Past Rockford, 4-2

Shai Buium found Ondrej Becher streaking up the middle, and the Czech forward walked in and flipped a backhand past Commesso at 5:38 of the third period Friday night, snapping a 2-2 tie and sending the Grand Rapids Griffins to a 4-2 victory over the Rockford IceHogs at the BMO Center.

The goal, Becher's eighth of the season, proved to be the winner. Jakub Rychlovský added an empty-netter at 19:01 after Rockford pulled Commesso with 2:13 left, putting the result beyond doubt and lifting Grand Rapids to 44-11-3-1, good for 92 points on the season.

The Griffins needed the late insurance. Rockford had clawed back to even the score heading into the final frame, with Joey Anderson snapping one between goalie Postava's pads from the left circle with 3:06 remaining in the second period to knot it at 2-2. That answered Mazur's second-period goal at 10:04, when he powered down the near boards, cut across the right circle and popped a shot into the top-right corner to give Grand Rapids a one-goal lead it briefly held.

Leonard, named the third star with a goal and an assist on the night, contributed earlier in the game, though the Griffins entered the second period protecting an advantage before Rockford drew level.

Postava was steady throughout, stopping 20 of 22 shots to improve to 13-5-0. Grand Rapids outshot Rockford 32-22 on the night, including a dominant 13-4 edge in the first period that set the tone even if the scoreboard stayed close into the third. Commesso finished with 28 saves on 31 shots for the IceHogs, who fell to 22-33-3-2 and 49 points.

Special teams defined the margin. Grand Rapids killed all four Rockford power plays to go a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill, while neither team converted on the man advantage. The Griffins went 0-for-3 with the extra skater, but the defensive discipline in the penalty-kill situations kept Rockford from capitalizing on opportunities that could have swung the game earlier.

Becher earned first-star honors, with Mazur taking the second star and Leonard the third. The attendance at the BMO Center was 4,647.

Grand Rapids returns to action Saturday at Milwaukee for a 7 p.m. EDT start. With 92 points already banked and a record that stands as one of the AHL's best, the Griffins are building the kind of late-season momentum that playoff runs are made of.