AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Fend Off Monsters, 8-6

Published on November 8, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


CLEVELAND - Cory Emmerton and Jeremy Williams recorded two goals apiece to lead the Grand Rapids Griffins to an 8-6 come-from-behind victory over the Lake Erie Monsters at Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday. With the win, Grand Rapids (8-4-0-0) extended their win streak to seven games for the first time since March of 2006.

The Griffins found themselves in a two-goal deficit early in the first period when the Monsters (6-8-0-0) scored two power play goals in :42. At the 2:06 mark, Brian Fahey took a pass from Chris Durno to score on a one-time shot from the left point. Then, at 2:48, Brian Willsie took a shot from the hash mark that bounced off the cross bar and Thomas McCollum's back, before trickling across the goal line.

Grand Rapids answered early in the middle frame when Matias Ritola deflected Jakub Kindl's shot from the point for a power play goal at :45. The Griffins tied the game at 2-2 just 1:17 later when Francis Pare took a shot from the high slot, and Emmerton came across the crease to bury the rebound.

Doug Janik gave the Griffins their first lead of the game at 4:16 when he caught a centering pass from Ritola and beat Trevor Cann on the blocker side. Then Williams blasted a one-time shot from the left circle for a power play goal at 6:47, pushing the Griffins' lead to 4-2.

The Monsters came back with three straight power play goals. Fahey scored his second of the night at 12:32, and former Griffins' captain Darren Haydar scored at 12:59 to even the score at 4-4. Brock Bradford put Lake Erie back on top at 14:41, before Williams answered with his second goal of the night four minutes later, finishing off a fast-paced second period that saw eight goals.

In the final period, Lake Erie claimed a 6-5 lead at 5:56 when Durno scored off a rebound from the top of the Griffins goal crease, but Andy Delmore responded by slamming home a rebound of his own at 10:29.

The Griffins regained the lead at 17:11 with a goal from John Vigilante, and with 17 seconds remaining in regulation, Emmerton finished off his two-goal performance with an empty net tally, finalizing the score at 8-6.

McCollum turned aside 19 shots in net for the Griffins, while Cann stopped 33 shots for the Monsters.

The six goals surrendered by Grand Rapids in tonight's game ties a franchise record for goals against in a Griffins victory (4/2/1999 vs. Chicago, 7-6 SOW).

The Griffins will return to Van Andel Arena on Wednesday for a rematch against the Monsters at 12:00 p.m.

Three Stars: 1. GR Vigilante (GW goal, 1assist); 2. GR Williams (2 goals, 1 assist); 3. LE Fahey (2 goals, 1 assist).

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American Hockey League Stories from November 8, 2009


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