Griffins Fall 3-2 in Seven-Round Shootout to Monarchs
Published on November 26, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Grand Rapids and Manchester battled into a seven-round shootout Wednesday night at Van Andel Arena, but the Monarchs came out on top and handed the Griffins a 3-2 loss during the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
Grand Rapids (9-5-2-3) skated into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead, scoring the lone goal of the opening period at the 4:18 mark. Ville Leino soared up the right boards and fanned on his shot attempt, but managed to backhand a pass through the goal crease to Darren Haydar, who swatted the bouncing puck past Jonathan Bernier.
The Monarchs (8-6-0-3) tied the game during the second frame when Justin Azevedo buried a one-timer off a centering feed from Kalamazoo native Scott Parse at 6:39.
Midway through the second period, Griffins goaltender Jimmy Howard halted a flurry of shots while the team killed off 1:41 of 5-on-3. As soon as the second penalty to Aaron Gagnon expired, Justin Abdelkader lifted the puck to him as he rushed out of the box creating a breakaway. Gagnon then deked the netminder and slid the puck into the right side of the net at 13:09 for his first-career AHL goal, giving Grand Rapids a 2-1 lead.
Manchester notched the equalizer once again later in the period at the 18:00 mark. Azevedo scored his second of the night by tipping a shot that was fired by Teddy Purcell from the top of the left circle past Howard's glove.
The score remained 2-2 for the remainder of the game and a shootout ultimately ensued. Parse, Michel Leveille and Azevedo scored for Manchester, while Darren McCarty and Jonathan Ericsson were the only lamp-lighters for the Griffins during the seven-round duel.
Howard stopped 26 shots in net for the Griffins, many of which were in back-breaking fashion, while Bernier turned aside 31 during regulation and five of seven in the skills competition for the Monarchs.
The Griffins continue their three-game home stand on Friday against the Chicago Wolves at 7 p.m.
Three Stars: 1. MCH Bernier (W, 31 saves); 2. MCH Azevedo (2 goals); 3. GR Gagnon (1 goal).
American Hockey League Stories from November 26, 2008
- Pelletier's Four Goals Propel Hogs To 6-1 Win - Rockford IceHogs
- Admirals Get by Peoria 4-1 - Milwaukee Admirals
- Admirals Sink Rivermen 4-1 - Peoria Rivermen
- Rampage Struggle in 6-1 Loss to Rockford - San Antonio Rampage
- New Line Sparks Admirals Past Falcons - Norfolk Admirals
- Falcons Lose To Admirals 6-4 - Springfield Falcons
- Chris Porter is Back with Peoria - Peoria Rivermen
- Griffins Fall 3-2 in Seven-Round Shootout to Monarchs - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Fantastic Finish Earns Flames Point In Overtime Loss - Abbotsford Heat
- Monarchs Give Thanks For Perfect Road Trip - Manchester Monarchs
- Pirates Lose 4-3 Against Sharks - Portland Pirates
- Devils Blank Bruins, 3-0, to Win Fourth Straight - Albany Devils
- Laliberte, Powe Power Phantoms - Adirondack Phantoms
- Sharks extend streak to five with 4-3 win in Portland - Worcester Sharks
- P-Bruins Fall to Devils 3-0 - Providence Bruins
- Aeros provide options for Holidays, earn Community of Respect designation - Houston Aeros
- Marlies Hosted D.A.R.E. School Day Game At Ricoh Coliseum - Toronto Marlies
- Wolves Release Marchesi - Chicago Wolves
- Pirates to Hold Toy Drive at Saturday's Game - Portland Pirates
- Aeros release defenseman Jon Insana - Houston Aeros
- Amerks Introduce Holiday Pack Options - Rochester Americans
- Gord Baldwin Assigned To Quad Cities - Abbotsford Heat
- Chris Porter is Back with Peoria - Peoria Rivermen
- Amerks Fall 3-1 In Toronto, Drop Seventh Straight - Norfolk Admirals
- Lightning Reassign D Jamie Heward to Norfolk - Norfolk Admirals
- Admirals Acquire Forward Grant Potulny from San Antonio - Norfolk Admirals
- Moose recall Derlago from Bakersfield - Manitoba Moose
- Monarchs To Host Thanksgiveaway Game - Manchester Monarchs
- Rampage Trade Grant Potulny To Norfolk - San Antonio Rampage
- Ross Carlson Signs P.T.O with Rivermen - Peoria Rivermen
- Worcester Sharks partner with Aubuchon Hardware and American Red Cross - Worcester Sharks
- Brad Brown Released From Try-Out Agreement - Abbotsford Heat
- Amerks Acquire Forward Randall Gelech From Grand Rapids - Rochester Americans
- Skate With The Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Admirals, Brewers Team Up for Two-Man Advantage - Milwaukee Admirals
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- McCarty and Helm Trade Places - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Amerks In Toronto Today - Rochester Americans
- Thanksgiving Feast for Hockey Fans - Grand Rapids Griffins
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
