Desjardins and Monsters Shut Down Grand Rapids

December 18, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Monsters News Release

Cedrick Desjardins' second shutout of the season and goals from three different scorers propelled the Lake Erie Monsters (13-14-1-1) to a 3-0 shutout win over the Grand Rapids Griffins (12-3-1-2) on Saturday night. More than 8,700 fans were on hand at Quicken Loans Arena to watch the Monsters' first win in three tries against the Griffins this season. With the victory, the Monsters now have sole possession of second place in the North Division.

Greg Mauldin opened the scoring with his seventh goal of the season when he launched a puck from the top of the left circle with the Monsters on the power play at the 13:03 mark of the first period. Mauldin received a pass from Tyson Barrie, and sent the puck through a screen in front provided by Monsters forward Ryan Stoa to give the Monsters a 1-0 lead.

Patrick Rissmiller, a veteran forward who made his season debut on Friday night, pushed in the rebound of a Mauldin shot with the Monsters on another power play at the 9:33 mark of the second period for his first goal of the season. Mauldin, as well as Barrie, assisted on the goal, which gave the Monsters a 2-0 lead.

Justin Mercier helped the Monsters set the tone in the third period when he snapped a wrist shot from the right circle to beat Griffins goalie Joey MacDonald just 93 seconds into the frame. Eric Hunter and Nick Tuzzolino assisted on Mercier's fifth goal of the season.

Desjardins stopped 37 shots in the shutout, including 17 in the third period alone, to improve to 7-4-1. MacDonald stopped 25 of 28 shots in the Griffins loss, and his record is now 7-6-1.

The Monsters are back in action Wednesday night in Rochester. The puck drops at 7:00 PM on ESPN 850 WKNR.

American Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2011

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• Desjardins and Monsters Shut Down Grand Rapids - Cleveland Monsters
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