---
title: "Griffins Beat IceHogs 4-2 in Rockford Behind Leonard’s Two Goals"
url: https://www.heregrandrapids.com/2026/10/18/griffins-beat-icehogs-4-2-leonard-two-goals/
date: 2026-10-18T06:58:59-04:00
modified: 2026-10-18T06:58:59-04:00
author: "Ezra Vasquez"
categories: ["Sports"]
site: "HERE Grand Rapids"
attribution: "HERE Grand Rapids"
---

# Griffins Beat IceHogs 4-2 in Rockford Behind Leonard’s Two Goals

> ROCKFORD, Ill. — The Grand Rapids Griffins scored three times in the second period and held off a late push to beat the Rockford IceHogs 4-2 on Saturday night, Oct. 17, at the BMO Center. After Rockford goalie Stanislav Berezhnoy turned aside 15 shots in a scoreless first period, Grand Rapids struck twice within 35

*Source: [HERE Grand Rapids](https://www.heregrandrapids.com/2026/10/18/griffins-beat-icehogs-4-2-leonard-two-goals/) — October 18, 2026 by Ezra Vasquez*

ROCKFORD, Ill. — The Grand Rapids Griffins scored three times in the second period and held off a late push to beat the Rockford IceHogs 4-2 on Saturday night, Oct. 17, at the BMO Center.

After Rockford goalie Stanislav Berezhnoy turned aside 15 shots in a scoreless first period, Grand Rapids struck twice within 35 seconds early in the second. Carter Bear knocked in a rebound for the opening goal, and Dylan James cashed in on a Rockford turnover behind its own net moments later.

John Leonard made it 3-0 at 18:25 of the second, firing from the slot during a two-man advantage.

Rockford answered twice in the third on goals by Nick Lardis and Brett Seney, both set up by Gavin Hayes. Leonard sealed it with an empty-net goal, his second of the night, and Trey Augustine was in goal for the Griffins.

Grand Rapids came in at 3-1-1-0 and had won 14 of its previous 20 games against Rockford. Saturday was the first of 10 meetings between the clubs this season, and the second comes quickly: the teams face off again Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. in Grand Rapids.