AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins lose to Rampage

Published on October 17, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


SAN ANTONIO - The Grand Rapids Griffins out shot the San Antonio Rampage in all three periods of Saturday's contest, but were unable to rally for a victory, dropping a 7-4 decision at the AT&T Center.

The Griffins allowed six goals in the opening frame, which ties a franchise record for goals against in a single period. The feat had not been accomplished since the second period of a game against Cleveland on April 5, 2006.

San Antonio got on the board just 19 seconds into the game when Troy Brodie tipped a Sean Zimmerman shot past Daniel Larsson from right in front of the net. The Rampage then capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play opportunity when Stefan Meyer put in a rebound of a Kyle Turris one-time shot at 9:19.

Brett MacLean put the Rampage up 3-0, and chased Larsson from the Griffins' net with another power play tally at the 10:11 mark.

The Rampage then struck twice in 10 seconds. Turris scored at 13:09, and on the ensuing face off, MacLean scored his second of the game in a two-on-one situation, making the score 5-0.

The Griffins finally got on the board at 16:19 of the first period when Dick Axelsson entered the Rampage zone on the left wing side of the rink, and deked to his backhand to put a shot under the glove of Josh Tordjman.

San Antonio was quick to answer just 18 seconds later, when Mikkel Boedker lit the lamp with on a slap shot from the top of the right circle.

The first period ended with a score of 6-1, and the Rampage scored on six of their first seven shots, however the Griffins battled back with three goals in the second period.

Kris Newbury entered the Rampage zone in a two-on-one rush with Jeremy Williams and unleashed a blast into the top right corner of San Antonio's cage at 2:54 of the period.

Mike Walsh then scored his first goal of the season at the 5:00 mark. From the high slot he rifled a slap shot that broke through Tordjman, cutting the Rampage lead in half. Then Jamie Tardif scored a power play goal when he took a pass from Mattias Ritola and walked in on a quick break to beat Tordjman on the glove side.

MacLean came back with a hat trick goal at 16:20 of the final stanza, when he slammed a backhand shot through the pads of Thomas McCollum on a wraparound.

McCollum stopped seven shots in net for the Griffins (1-3-0-0), while Larsson recorded one. Tordjman turned aside 29 shots in the Rampage (5-1-1-0) win.

The Griffins will conclude their three-game Texas road trip on Sunday with a 4:00 p.m. EDT rematch against the Rampage at the AT&T Center.

Three Stars: 1. SA MacLean (3 goals); 2. SA Beleskey (1 assist); 3. SA Schlemko (2 assists).

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2009


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.

OurSports Central