Cleveland's Schaefer stifles Griffins, 4-2
Published on December 10, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Griffins' attempt at this season's 14th come-from-behind win came up shy on Saturday, as the Cleveland Barons escaped Van Andel Arena with a 4-2 victory.
Barons netminder Nolan Schaefer, who owns a 5-1-0 record and a 1.88 GAA with the parent San Jose Sharks this season, finished with 29 saves to hand the Griffins just their second regulation loss at home and give them back-to-back regulation defeats for the first time this season. Grand Rapids (18-7-0-2) will now hit the road for five straight games, including a four-games-in-five-nights stretch against North Division rivals that commences Wednesday in Toronto.
The Griffins took the lead during an early power play, as Clay Wilson sent a pass from the point down low to Kent McDonell, who deflected the puck past Schaefer from the left circle at 2:12. However, the Griffins' inability to kill off 5-on-3 shorthanded situations continued, as Patrick Rissmiller converted a Ray DiLauro pass from the right side at the 6:58 mark to knot the score at one. Grand Rapids' opponents have enjoyed 20 more two-man advantages (34-14) than the Griffins this season, outscoring them by a 12-1 count in those situations.
Just 2:05 later, a turnover deep in the Griffins' zone resulted in a Shane Joseph goal and a 2-1 Cleveland lead at the first intermission. Following an uneventful second period - just the second scoreless frame at Van Andel Arena this season - red-hot Donald MacLean notched his sixth goal in the last seven games to tie it. He carried the puck through the slot and into the left circle, patiently waiting for an opening before beating Schaefer with a wrister at 6:57 of the third.
The deadlock did not last long, however, as Mike Iggulden solved Jimmy Howard's five-hole from in close at 9:52. The Griffins tried desperately to even things once again, out-shooting the Barons 16-8 in the third, but Schaefer was up to the task, denying Darryl Bootland on a breakaway with 2:30 remaining to preserve the margin. Steve Bernier then capped off the night with an empty-netter at 19:47.
One night after facing a record-tying 13 Milwaukee power plays in a 5-2 road loss, Grand Rapids' penalty killers experienced another exhausting evening, as the Barons (11-15-1-1) converted one of their nine chances with the advantage. The Griffins scored on one of their four opportunities.
After contributing 26 saves and one assist, respectively, during their one-day stopover in Grand Rapids, Howard and Griffins leading scorer Jiri Hudler returned to the Detroit Red Wings after the game.
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