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Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Tame Wolves, 7-1

December 15, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Grand Rapids Griffins used seven goals from seven different goal scorers to thrash the Chicago Wolves 7-1 on Thursday before a crowd of 13,953 at Allstate Arena.

Kyle Criscuolo was among six Griffins with multi-point performances, netting what proved to be the game-winning goal in addition to contributing a pair of assists to earn first-star accolades. Jared Coreau turned aside 21-of-22 shots to earn his 55th victory in a Grand Rapids uniform, tying Mike Fountain for fourth in franchise history. The result snaps Chicago's six-game point streak (5-0-1-0).

Chances were at a premium in the opening period until Nathan Paetsch put the Griffins (15-7-1-2) on the scoresheet with 47.8 seconds remaining. After keeping Wade Megan's clearing attempt in at the left point, the Grand Rapids captain ripped a slapshot between the pads of Pheonix Copley for his first goal of the campaign.

Criscuolo gave the visitors a two-goal edge 3:48 into the second when he received Dominic Turgeon's centering pass at the left side of the net and lifted a shot inside the near post before the Chicago netminder could locate the puck.

Grand Rapids continued to carry the play and capitalized on the man advantage at the 8:34 mark. On an eventual 3-on-1, Eric Tangradi gained the zone along the right wing before feeding the puck across to Ben Street in front for a tap-in into a open net.

The Griffins took a commanding 4-0 lead into the second intermission after Dylan Sadowy spun around to escape pressure at the left circle, working his way into the slot and sending a backhanded shot through Copley's five hole with 3:19 to play. That proved to be the end of the night for Copley, who was lifted in favor of Jordan Binnington.

The afternoon went from bad to worse for Chicago as Grand Rapids added a trio of insurance tallies in the final frame. The Griffins' fifth goal came at the 1:56 mark when Criscuolo grabbed a loose puck in his own zone and started an odd-man rush, setting up Evgeny Svechnikov at the top of the left circle for a wrist shot into the top left corner. Tangradi gave the visitors a six-goal cushion 1:57 later when he set up shop in front of Binnington's crease and redirected Street's one-timer from the top of the right circle.

Coreau's shutout bid was spoiled 7:33 into the third when Kenny Agostino's shot deflected off a Grand Rapids leg but hopped right onto the stick of Ivan Barbashev, who lifted the rebound into the top right corner to put Chicago (13-10-2-1) on the board.

The Griffins wrapped up the scoring on the man advantage after Sadowy's effort from close range was kicked aside by Binnington's right pad, only for Nick Jensen to race in from the left point to fire the rebound into an open net for his first goal of the season with 9:07 on the clock.

Grand Rapids finished 3-for-7 on the power play while Chicago failed to convert in a 0-of-6 performance. Copley blocked 10-of-14 shots in a losing effort before Binnington stopped 10-of-13 in relief.

The Griffins continue their four-game road trip on Friday as they take on the Charlotte Checkers. Puck drop from Bojangles' Coliseum is at 6 p.m.

Notes: Paetsch recorded his 50th AHL goal and first marker since a 4-1 win over the Milwaukee Admirals on Feb. 17, 2016...Criscuolo has eight points in his last six games (4-4-8) and registered his fifth multi-point game over his last 10 outings...Svechnikov has points in three of his last four games (3-2-5)...Coreau's 93 appearances in a Griffins' uniform ties Daniel Larsson for sixth in franchise history.

Three Stars: 1. GR Criscuolo (game-winning goal, two assists); 2. GR Coreau (W, 21 saves); 3. GR Svechnikov (goal, assist)

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