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Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Roll Over Rivermen, 4-1

December 5, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - For the second time in as many Saturdays, the Grand Rapids Griffins snapped a two-game skid by beating Peoria, limiting the Rivermen to just a single goal for the third time this season in a 4-1 win at Van Andel Arena.

Daniel Larsson made 24 saves to improve his personal record to 9-4-0 and help the Griffins push their impressive mark on home ice to 10-3-0-0.

Grand Rapids (14-9-0-0) will conclude its five-game homestand with a three-in-four set next week, beginning with a tilt against the San Antonio Rampage on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Jan Mursak drew first blood just 2:31 into the opening period, marking Grand Rapids' fastest goal to start a game this season. After forcing a turnover and corralling the loose puck in the high slot, he drifted into the left circle and patiently surveyed his options before ripping a wrist shot past Hannu Toivonen.

Patrick Rissmiller made it a 2-0 game during a power play at the 9:01 mark, collecting a rebound low in the right circle and quickly threading a high, short-side shot through a screen. Andy Delmore earned an assist on the play to record the 400th point of his pro career.

Grand Rapids set a season high for shots in period by outshooting the Rivermen 20-7 during the first frame, giving them a whopping 35-10 advantage over their last two periods of play.

Peoria (12-10-1-2) had one of its first real scoring opportunities on a Ryan Reaves breakaway midway through the second, but Larsson slammed the door. The visitors did get on the board a couple shifts later, though, when Adam Cracknell beat Larsson with a snap shot from the left side at 11:10 to cut the Griffins' lead in half.

That would be the only time Peoria would dent the Grand Rapids defense, however, and the Griffins tacked on third-period empty-netters from Mattias Ritola (18:29) and Tomas Tatar (19:14) to secure the victory.

Toivonen, whose teammates have scored a total of three goals in his three losses to Grand Rapids this season, made 39 saves in a valiant effort.

Three Stars:

1. GR Rissmiller (game-winning power play goal);

2. GR Mursak (goal);

3. PEO Toivonen (L, 39 saves)

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