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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Blanked by Americans, 2-0

January 23, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Despite rifling off 42 shots, the Grand Rapids Griffins were unable to push one across the net and were shut out by the visiting Rochester Americans, 2-0, Saturday night at Van Andel Arena. Grand Rapids has dropped three of its last four contests after beginning the new calendar year with a 5-2-0-0 mark.

The Griffins are back in Van Andel Arena for their annual matinee game on Wednesday. Puck drop against the Toronto Marlies is set for 11 a.m.

In front of a sellout crowd of 10,834, the Americans (20-19-2-1) tallied the first mark on the scoreboard. Just 3:16 into the game, William Carrier took control of the puck and flipped it ahead to Jason Akeson at center ice. With 2-on-1 numbers, Akeson charged into the zone toward the right circle and feigned Jared Coreau before dumping the puck off to Dan Catenacci. With the blocker side vacant, Catenacci delivered the first goal - which proved to also be the game-winning goal - past Coreau's diving effort.

The Griffins (24-14-1-1) spent nearly half of the opening frame with a man advantage as the Americans were whistled for four infractions. Even though Grand Rapids squared up 12 shots in the first 20 minutes, none were able to slip past Nathan Lieuwen.

The second period witnessed 15 more shots for the home team but still the Griffins trailed 1-0 after 40 minutes of action.

Grand Rapids nearly tied the game with three and a half minutes elapsed in the final frame. While shorthanded, Tomas Nosek forced a turnover from below the goal line in the offensive zone. After gaining control, Nosek worked his way to the front of the crease. He took multiple stabs at the potential tying goal before Lieuwen lost his balance in the net and the puck was eventually cleared. The original ruling was determined no goal and upon a review at the next stoppage of play, the primary call was upheld.

Rochester notched its second goal and salted the game away with 7:40 remaining in regulation. Carrier gained a handle on the puck behind the Grand Rapids zone. He skated up the right side boards before reversing course and sending a centering pass toward Allan McPherson. Posted up in front of the goal mouth, McPherson absorbed the pass and dribbled one just underneath Coreau's glove.

Grand Rapids went on its sixth and final power play of the night with 2:15 left on the third-period clock. Pulling Coreau for the extra skater, the Griffins had a 6-on-4 advantage but were unable to capitalize before an Eric Tangradi penalty with 29 seconds remaining offset the Americans' previous hooking infraction.

Lieuwen turned away all 42 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season while Coreau stopped 27 shots in a losing effort. The Griffins killed off all four of Rochester's power plays, but could not convert on any of their own six power plays.

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