Griffins Hold Sole Possession of Third Place in Central Division with 4-1 Win Over Iowa

January 5, 2024 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release

Grand Rapids Griffins' Joel L'Esperance and Sebastian Cossa battle Iowa Wild's Samuel Walker
(Grand Rapids Griffins, Credit: Iowa Wild)

The rookie netminder recorded a .966 save percentage and a 1.00 goals against average in the win, both of which contribute to an overall .901 save percentage and a 2.95 goals against average. Tim Gettinger recorded his 150th point as both a Griffin and a pro with a goal and an assist in the contest. Joel L'Esperance extended his goal streak to four games, as he scored his 10th goal of the season in his 100th game with Grand Rapids.

With just over two minutes left in the opening frame, Gettinger deflected a puck past Jesper Wallstedt on the doorstep for a power-play goal and a 1-0 lead at 17:58. Shortly after Gettinger's goal, Antti Tuomisto ripped a shot from the top of the right circle for a second Grand Rapids goal with 39 seconds remaining in the first period.

Just over midway through the middle frame, Louis Boudon scored his first AHL goal for the Wild with a shot from the slot, which beat Cossa and cut the Griffins' lead in half at 11:41. Following a first period where Grand Rapids held a 9-6 shot advantage, Iowa outshot Grand Rapids 11-9 in the second.

While on a man-advantage in the final frame, L'Esperance tapped the puck past the goal line while in the crease for a 3-1 lead at 10:40. Late in the third period, Dominik Shine rifled the disc past Wallstedt's glove during a penalty shot with 5:49 remaining. Following Shine's goal, the Griffins cruised to a 4-1 victory.

Notes

- Tonight's contest was the first time that Cossa (15th overall selection in 2021) has faced off against Wallstedt (20th overall selection in 2021).

- Shine's penalty shot goal is the first to be scored by the Griffins since Jonatan Berggren scored on one against Iowa on Nov. 14th, 2022.

- Carter Mazur's goal streak and point streak (4-1--5) ended at four games.

- Grand Rapids' penalty kill went 4-for-4 tonight, which is the first time they have not allowed a power-play goal since Dec. 15 against Texas. On the opposite end, the Griffins' power play was perfect for the first time this season, as they went 2-for-2 on the man-advantage.

Box Score

Grand Rapids 2 0 2 - 4

Iowa 0 1 0 - 1

1st Period-1, Grand Rapids, Gettinger 8 (Czarnik, Berggren), 17:58 (PP). 2, Grand Rapids, Tuomisto 3 (Edvinsson, Gettinger), 19:21. Penalties-Johansson Gr (tripping), 10:02; Lambos Ia (holding), 17:50.

2nd Period-3, Iowa, Boudon 1 (Dornbach), 11:41. Penalties-L'Esperance Gr (tripping), 5:57; Czarnik Gr (slashing), 13:21; Walker Ia (tripping), 13:21; Tuomisto Gr (slashing), 14:42.

3rd Period-4, Grand Rapids, L'Esperance 10 (Kasper, Lombardi), 10:40 (PP). 5, Grand Rapids, Shine 4 14:11 (PS). Penalties-Edvinsson Gr (hooking), 4:40; Fogarty Ia (hooking), 8:52.

Shots on Goal-Grand Rapids 9-9-5-23. Iowa 6-11-12-29.

Power Play Opportunities-Grand Rapids 2 / 2; Iowa 0 / 4.

Goalies-Grand Rapids, Cossa 6-6-3 (29 shots-28 saves). Iowa, Wallstedt 11-8-0 (23 shots-19 saves).

A-6,616

Three Stars

1. GR Gettinger (goal, assist); 2. GR Tuomisto (goal); 3. GR Cossa (W, 28 saves)

Record / Next Game

Grand Rapids: 13-13-3-1 (30 pts.) / Sat., Jan. 6 at Iowa 8 p.m. EST

Iowa: 12-17-1-1 (26 pts.) / Sat., Jan. 6 vs. Grand Rapids 7 p.m. CST

Grand Rapids Griffins' Joel L'Esperance and Sebastian Cossa battle Iowa Wild's Samuel Walker (Iowa Wild)

American Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2024

• Admirals Fly Past Eagles in OT - Milwaukee Admirals
• Griffins Hold Sole Possession of Third Place in Central Division with 4-1 Win Over Iowa - Grand Rapids Griffins
• Wranglers Top Silver Knights, 5-1, in First Game of Series - Henderson Silver Knights
• Amerks Take Down Monsters to Ring in New Year - Rochester Americans
• Wolves Beat Roadrunners in Tucson Controlled Contest - Tucson Roadrunners
• Rockford Falls 4-1 to First Place Texas - Rockford IceHogs
• Iowa Opens 2024 with 4-1 Loss to Grand Rapids - Iowa Wild
• Stars Skate Past IceHogs in Series Opener - Texas Stars
• Wolves Handle Roadrunners 4-1 - Chicago Wolves
• Askarov's 30-Save Shutout Leads Milwaukee to 1-0 OT Win Over Eagles - Colorado Eagles
• Penguins Hold off Thunderbirds for 2-1 Win - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Monsters Fall 3-1 Against Americans - Cleveland Monsters
• T-Birds Puzzled by Penguins, Fall 2-1 - Springfield Thunderbirds
• Comets Earn Point in 4-3 Shootout Loss to Rocket - Utica Comets
• Game Notes - HSK vs CGY - Calgary Wranglers
• Flames Recall Yan Kuznetsov - Calgary Wranglers
• Wranglers Recall Murphy, Add Rassell on PTO - Calgary Wranglers
• Bojangles Game Preview: January 6 at Bridgeport - Charlotte Checkers
• Haiskanen Returns to Reign on PTO - Ontario Reign
• Morning Skate Report: January 5, 2024 - Henderson Silver Knights
• Panthers Recall Mackie Samoskevich from Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
• Blue Jackets Assign Defenseman Jake Christiansen to Monsters - Cleveland Monsters
• Checkers Announce Fan Fest Leading into Queen City Outdoor Classic - Charlotte Checkers
• Early Bird Offer for 2024-25 Amerks Full Season Ticket Memberships Now Available - Rochester Americans
• Condors Games in San Diego Postponed - Bakersfield Condors
• Condors-Gulls AHL Games Tonight, Saturday Postponed - AHL
• AHL Postpones this Weekend's Bakersfield at San Diego Games - San Diego Gulls
• Tampa Bay Lightning Recall Defensemen Jack Thompson, Emil Lilleberg, Reassign Defensemen Sean Day, Declan Carlile to Syracuse Crunch - Syracuse Crunch
• Game Preview: Iowa Wild vs. Grand Rapids Griffins - Iowa Wild
• Syracuse Crunch Sign Defenseman Ryan Orgel to PTO, Loan Forward Daniel Walker to Orlando Solar Bears - Syracuse Crunch
• Hogs Start 2024 with Road Test vs. Division-Leading Stars - Rockford IceHogs

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.

Other Recent Grand Rapids Griffins Stories

• Griffins' 2025-26 Home Opener Set for October 17
• Brandsegg-Nygard Joins Team Norway for World Championship
• Griffins Drop Series Finale in Double-Overtime Thriller
• Late-Game Griffins Rally Falls Short in Game 2
• Griffins Continue Central Division Semifinals against Texas