ROCKFORD, Ill. – Brian Connelly’s slap shot from the point just 1:39 into overtime gave the Rockford IceHogs a 2-1 win over the Griffins at the Rockford MetroCentre, but by forcing overtime Grand Rapids extended their road point streak to a season high four games.

The overtime loss stands as just the second time in franchise history the Griffins have suffered two straight overtime setbacks (Nov. 28-30 of 2002), but it capped off a four-game road trip in which Grand Rapids earned six of a possible eight points (2-0-2-0).

The Griffins (24-28-2-1) will return to Van Andel Arena on Friday for a 7:00 p.m. face off with the Hamilton Bulldogs, which will begin both a three-in-three weekend and a four-game home stand.

Grand Rapids jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 37 second into the contest. Mattias Ritola took a backhand pass from Logan Pyett at the right hash mark and walked in on a quick breakaway to fire a shot inside the left goalpost.

Rockford (32-21-2-3) answered by capitalizing on a Grand Rapids turnover at 7:53 of the opening period. A miscue behind the Griffins’ net resulted in the puck bouncing right to the stick of Bracken Kearns, who snapped a quick shot through the legs of Daniel Larsson to notch the equalizer.

Larsson made 27 saves for Grand Rapids, while Corey Crawford turned aside 25 in the Rockford win.

Three Stars: 1. RFD Crawford (25 saves); 2. RFD Connelly (GW goal); 3. GR Larsson (27 saves).