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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Defeat Monsters 5-1 in First Preseason Game

October 2, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - In the first of two preseason games against the Central Division rivals, the Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the Lake Erie Monsters 5-1 on Friday at Bowling Green State University Ice Arena.

Forwards Martin Frk and Alden Hirschfeld and defenseman Nathan Paetsch, all skaters with previous Grand Rapids playing experience, led the scoring charge for the Griffins with a goal and assist each.

Hirschfeld sparked the Griffins' offensive streak with an unassisted goal against Lake Erie netminder Joonas Korpisalo just 3:01 into the contest, before Paetsch solved a screened Korpisalo on Grand Rapids' second power play attempt to send the visitors to a 2-0 lead at 8:18 of the same period.

Following a goaltender interference call against Monsters forward Jack Downing at 1:35 of the second period, center Kurt Etchegary added another power play tally with just two seconds remaining in the advantage to put the Griffins up by a 3-0 margin. Frk potted Grand Rapids' fourth unanswered goal at 7:07 of the middle frame to extend Grand Rapids' lead even further heading into the third period.

After a perfect performance through 57:05 of play, goaltender Jared Coreau's shutout bid was at last spoiled with only 2:55 remaining in the game, when Christian Isackson chipped in a Ben Wilson pass between Coreau and the right post. Shortly thereafter, Grand Rapids right wing Evan Rankin bookended the game with an unassisted goal of his own at 17:51 to put the stamp on the final 5-1 score.

The Monsters will have an opportunity to split the preseason slate tomorrow at 7:05 p.m., when the Griffins host a rematch at the Windsor Family Credit Union Centre in Windsor, Ontario. For tickets, click here.

The Griffins will drop the puck on their regular season with an Oct. 9-10 road trip to Bakersfield and San Diego, marking their 20th campaign overall, 15th as members of the American Hockey League and 14th as the primary affiliate of the Red Wings. The following weekend, Grand Rapids will kick off the home portion of its schedule with back-to-back games against the San Antonio Rampage on Oct. 16-17 at 7 p.m. at Van Andel Arena.

Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2. Single-game tickets for all home games are now available for purchase at all Star Tickets locations, including The Zone, online through griffinshockey.com, or by phone through Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737.

Note: Following the game, the Detroit Red Wings assigned goaltender Tom McCollum to Grand Rapids and recalled goaltender Jake Paterson from their AHL affiliate.

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