Griffins Open Two-Game Home Series Against Texas With 2-0 Loss
Published on December 13, 2023 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
Grand Rapids Griffins' Joel L'Esperance versus Texas Stars' Michael Karow
(Grand Rapids Griffins, Credit: Nicolas Carrillo)
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Matej Blumel's second-period goal and Remi Poirer's 26-save shutout were just enough to blank the Grand Rapids Griffins 2-0 at Van Andel Arena on Wednesday.
Entering tonight, the Stars had scored at least three goals in 12 consecutive games since a 4-2 loss at Iowa on Nov. 5. Alongside this, Texas had been held to fewer than three tallies only four times in their first 21 games.
After a scoreless first period, the Stars struck first while 4-on-4 at 8:58 in the second frame. Matej Blumel's shot from the right face-off dot dribbled behind Michael Hutchinson and past the goal line for a Texas lead and Blumel's third goal in as many games against Grand Rapids.
With Hutchinson pulled, the Griffins directed a few shots to Poirer's net. However, none of the attempts were able to snap Poirer's shutout bid. With a minute remaining, Scott Reedy backhanded the puck from the slot into the empty net to seal a 2-0 victory for the Stars.
Notes:
- With the loss, the Griffins are now 7-2-0-0 this season when they have allowed only two goals.
- Grand Rapids has won four of their last six home games.
- The Griffins are still looking for a victory over Texas this season, as they sit at 0-3-0-0 in the season series.
Box Score
Texas 0 1 1 - 2
Grand Rapids 0 0 0 - 0
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Seminoff Tex (tripping), 14:36.
2nd Period-1, Texas, Blumel 12 (Reedy, Karow), 8:58. Penalties-Tuomisto Gr (interference), 3:07; Grushnikov Tex (high-sticking), 7:33; Kasper Gr (delay of game - faceoff violation (batting puck with hand)), 8:24.
3rd Period-2, Texas, Reedy 4 (Caamano), 19:00 (EN). Penalties-Karow Tex (tripping), 1:43; L'Esperance Gr (tripping), 2:27.
Shots on Goal-Texas 4-10-12-26. Grand Rapids 9-8-9-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Texas 0 / 3; Grand Rapids 0 / 3.
Goalies-Texas, Poirier 6-2-2 (26 shots-26 saves). Grand Rapids, Hutchinson 5-7-1 (25 shots-24 saves).
A-6,123
Three Stars
1. TEX Poirer (W, SO, 26 saves); 2. TEX Blumel (game-winner); 3. GR Hutchinson (24 saves)
Record / Next Game
Grand Rapids: 8-12-2-1 (19 pts.) / Fri., Dec. 15 vs Texas 7 p.m.
Texas: 14-5-2-1 (31 pts.) / Fri., Dec. 15 at Grand Rapids 6:00 p.m. CST
Images from this story
 Grand Rapids Griffins' Joel L'Esperance versus Texas Stars' Michael Karow (Nicolas Carrillo) |
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