Rockford, Ill. – Despite a 43-29 shot advantage, the Grand Rapids Griffins fell 3-1 to the IceHogs Sunday at the Rockford MetroCentre to kick off a five-game road trip.

Grand Rapids (6-11-02) was first on the board, but slow and steady won the day as Rockford (11-6-2-1) netted a goal in each period and IceHogs netminder Corey Crawford stopped 42 shots. After starting the season 5-0 away from home, the Griffins have since gone 0-4-0-1 in enemy territory.

The Toronto Marlies, who enter the week perched atop the North Division standings, roll out the welcome mat for the Griffins Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.

Grand Rapids capitalized on its third power play opportunity of the first period, lighting the lamp for an early 1-0 edge at 13:16 when Garrett Stafford forced a turnover on a Rockford clearing attempt. Mark Cullen corralled the puck and found Jonathan Ericsson streaking behind the defense. Though Crawford denied his first attempt, Ericsson persevered and pushed the rebound between the goaltender’s pads.

The Griffins’ offense, however, came up empty the rest of the game.

Minutes after Ericsson’s tally, Jack Skille converted a shot from a near-impossible angle deep in the right corner to pull Rockford even. The IceHogs then grabbed the lead at 12:35 of the second period on a goal from David Bolland.

With just over 12 minutes remaining in the game, Rockford added some insurance on a power play conversion for a two-goal cushion down the stretch. The IceHogs played the puck around the perimeter until Martin St. Pierre sent a pass from the right corner to Troy Brouwer, who blasted a one-timer from the slot past Jimmy Howard.

Grand Rapids finished the contest 1-for-11 on the power play, while Rockford went 1-for-8. Howard notched 26 saves in the losing effort.

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