Griffins Open Two-Game Home Series Against Texas With 2-0 Loss

December 13, 2023 - 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)

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

Grand Rapids Griffins' Joel L'Esperance versus Texas Stars' Michael Karow (Nicolas Carrillo)

American Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2023

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• Amerks Open Road Swing with Shootout Loss in Springfield - Rochester Americans
• Griffins Open Two-Game Home Series Against Texas With 2-0 Loss - Grand Rapids Griffins
• Penguins Triumph Over Crunch, 4-1 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Checkers Collect Point, Fall to Phantoms in OT - Charlotte Checkers
• P-Bruins Bested by Bears in Overtime, Win Streak Ends - Providence Bruins
• Iorio Lifts Bears To 3-2 Overtime Win Over Bruins - Hershey Bears
• Tkaczuk's T-Birds Rally to Top Amerks in Shootout - Springfield Thunderbirds
• Crunch Downed by Penguins, 4-1 - Syracuse Crunch
• Poirier, Stars Shut Out Griffins In Grand Rapids - Texas Stars
• Blues Recall F MacKenzie MacEachern - Springfield Thunderbirds
• Morning Skate Report: December 13, 2023 - Henderson Silver Knights
• Drew Bannister Named Interim Head Coach of St. Louis Blues - Springfield Thunderbirds
• Game Preview: Bears vs. Bruins, 7 p.m. - Hershey Bears

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