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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Franchise Record 15-Game Win Streak Snapped by Monsters, 3-2

December 27, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


CLEVELAND - The Grand Rapids Griffins had their franchise record 15-game winning streak snapped after a 3-2 defeat to the Lake Erie Monsters on Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena.

Entering the game third in the Central Division and fourth in the Western Conference, the Griffins had not lost in regulation in more than six weeks, last falling 5-1 on Nov. 14 against Lake Erie. The result also ended the Monsters' four-game winless drought.

Daniel Zaar opened the scoring for Lake Erie (16-9-2-2) 6:04 into the opening period. Josh Anderson's backhanded pass from the bottom of the right circle found Zaar alone in front, lifting the puck past the blocker side.

Jamie Sifers added to the Monsters' lead with 5:24 remaining. T.J. Tynan's backhand pass from the left point found Sifers at the right point. Sifers' slapshot from the top of the right circle went past a screened Jared Coreau and in. Lake Erie controlled the play in the opening period, outshooting Grand Rapids 15-6.

Martin Frk put the Griffins (17-9-0-1) on the scoresheet with 10:18 left in the middle frame. After receiving a short pass from Xavier Ouellet, Frk fired a slapshot from the point top-shelf over Anton Forsberg's glove-side shoulder.

Joe Devin restored Lake Erie's two-goal advantage 1:16 into the final period. Ouellet was the victim of aggressive forechecking behind his own net courtesy of Kerby Rychel. Rychel sent a centering pass to an uncovered Devin in front, shooting high to the glove side. The goal was upheld following a brief video review.

Colin Campbell made it a one-goal game with 2:24 to go in regulation. With Coreau pulled for the extra skater, Nathan Paetsch's snapshot from the point was deflected by Campbell in the high slot, with the puck going between Forsberg's right arm and body for his fourth goal of the weekend series.

The game was marred by a line brawl after time expired, starting with a fight between Andy Miele and Anderson in the Griffins' crease. Three skaters for the Griffins and two for the Monsters were each assessed game misconducts for secondary altercations and fighting other than during periods of the game.

The Griffins finished 0-for-5 on the power play, while Lake Erie failed to score on two opportunities. Forsberg stopped 22 of 24 shots in a winning effort, while Coreau made 22 saves as his 11-game winning streak came to an end.

Grand Rapids concludes its three-game road trip on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Admirals at BMO Harris Bradley Center at 8 p.m. CDT.

Three Stars: 1. LE Forsberg (W, 22 saves); 2. LE Devin (goal); 3. LE Sifers (goal)

Notes: Triston Grant made his season debut for the Griffins after missing 26 games with a neck injury...Head coach Todd Nelson played one season in Cleveland, registering seven goals and 42 points in 76 games with the Lumberjacks during the 1992-93 IHL campaign...Monsters' defenseman John Ramage did not receive any supplemental discipline for his match penalty in Friday's game.

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