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Grand Rapids Griffins

McCollum, Griffins Wrangle Stars in Shutout

March 27, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


CEDAR PARK, Texas - In a potential first round postseason matchup, the Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the Texas Stars for the third time this season in a 2-0 win Friday at Cedar Park Center.

The Griffins bounced back from losing their last two games with a stellar 34-save goaltending performance from Tom McCollum, who earned his first shutout of the season and the seventh shutout recorded by the Griffins this campaign.

Currently No. 3 in the West, the Griffins (39-19-6-2) followed up home victories Nov. 14-15 with their third win over the defending Calder Cup champions this season. Sitting No. 6 in the conference, the Stars (32-20-13-1) will have their last chance to record a win as the two teams will have their final scheduled meeting this season Saturday at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

After a scoreless opening period, the Griffins got on the scoreboard first at 9:36 of the second period. Andreas Athanasiou won a draw against Devin Shore to the right of Stars goaltender Jack Campbell. Athanasiou got past Shore, who passed the puck right to Mark Zengerle who fired the puck past Campbell's outstretched glove for his 12th goal of the season.

The second period featured several scoring chances by both sides. In the middle frame, the Griffins outshot the Stars 21-5. Campbell made many big saves including hard slap shot from Martin Frk that rattled off his mask.

Campbell continued making key stops in the third period, including stopping a backhand to forehand deke against Athanasiou with his right pad early in the third period.

The Griffins doubled their lead at 4:26 when Landon Ferraro skated down the right wing after taking a pass from Marek Tvrdon and put a floating shot past the stick of Derek Meech and over Campbell's right shoulder under the crossbar for his 25th goal of the campaign.

The Stars pulled Campbell with over two minutes left in the contest but McCollum made stops in the final minute to secure the win.

Campbell made 36 saves on 38 shots. Grand Rapids went scoreless on four power play chances while Texas didn't convert on its three power play opportunities.

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