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)
American Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2009
- Teddy Bears Fly Early, Hogs Pick Up Fifth Straight - Rockford IceHogs
- Scorching Heat Is Too Much For Amerks In 6-2 Loss - Rochester Americans
- Heat Bomb Americans 6-2 - Abbotsford Heat
- Four Goal Third Period Lifts Sound Tigers Over Falcons, 7-3 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Wolves Fall To Stars, 5-3 - Chicago Wolves
- Admirals Double Moose, 4-2 - Manitoba Moose
- Stars Shoot Past Wolves 5-3 - Texas Stars
- Falcons Lose To Sound Tigers 7-3 - Springfield Falcons
- Westgarth Fillets Sharks - Manchester Monarchs
- Crunch Solve Senators - Syracuse Crunch
- Two-Goal First Period Stands Up For Griffins - Peoria Rivermen
- B-Sens Fall Short In Syracuse; Lose 3-2 - Binghamton Senators
- River Rats Topple Phantoms 4-1 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Penguins Outscore Wolf Pack 4-1 - Connecticut Whale
- Sharks Tie Score Late But Fall In 8th Round Of Shootout In Manchester - Worcester Sharks
- Griffins Roll Over Rivermen, 4-1 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Rats Oust Phantoms 4-1 - Albany River Rats
- Admirals Can't Bear Hershey Comeback - Norfolk Admirals
- P-Bruins Defeat Pirates 4-3 - Providence Bruins
- Bruins Nip Pirates To End Streak - Portland Pirates
- Bulldogs Drop 6-5 Overtime Decision To Marlies - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Columbus Assigns Left Wing Alexandre Picard - Syracuse Crunch
- Heat Vs Americans Preview - Carpentier Reassigned - Abbotsford Heat
- Capitals Claim Chris Bourque Off Waivers From Pittsburgh - Hershey Bears
- Richards Loaned To Toledo, Hogs Face Lake Erie Tonight - Rockford IceHogs
- Canadiens Assign Ryan White To Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Falcons Sign Chris Armstrong To AHL Contract - Springfield Falcons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
