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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins' Point Streak Rises to Six, Pasquale Stops 39 in Overtime

December 6, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


CLEVELAND - Eddie Pasquale turned aside 39 shots - including 19 in the third period - to send the Grand Rapids Griffins into overtime, but John Ramage's power play goal 2:28 into the extra session gave the Cleveland Monsters the extra point in a 3-2 decision on Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena.

The result extended the Griffins' point streak to six straight (3-0-1-2) despite their first overtime setback since Cleveland eliminated Grand Rapids in Game 6 of the 2016 Central Division finals. The Griffins move to 4-0-1-1 in the season series against the Monsters with four of those games decided by a single goal.

The Griffins (12-6-1-2) drew first blood on the power play 8:23 into the opening period in a highlight-reel sequence in which Kyle Criscuolo took a swing at Matthew Ford's saucer pass in mid-air at the right circle and beat Joonas Korpisalo to the glove side for his sixth goal of the campaign.

With Criscuolo's tally, Grand Rapids has scored on the man advantage in 12 consecutive games, marking the second-longest streak in franchise history and one game shy of matching a club record lasting from Feb. 24-Mar. 23, 2006.

Cleveland (9-11-1-1) responded on its first power play opportunity with 3:52 remaining in the first frame when Sonny Milano set up Oliver Bjorkstrand at the top of the right circle for a wrist shot inside the left post. Five of Bjorkstrand's eight goals this season have come against the Griffins.

Evgeny Svechnikov put Grand Rapids back in front at the 10:14 mark of the middle stanza. After Ford's turnaround shot from the left point forced a blocker save from Korpisalo, Criscuolo won the race to the rebound and slid the puck through the goal mouth to Svechnikov, who flipped a backhanded effort into an open net.

The Monsters controlled the play throughout the third, outshooting the Griffins 20-6. Markus Hannikainen evened the score on the man advantage with 8:20 left in regulation when he took Dean Kukan's lead pass at the offensive blue line and raced past the defense for a breakaway before lifting a shot past Pasquale's blocker.

The Griffins opened the extra session with Matt Lorito, Martin Frk and Robbie Russo while the hosts countered with Ramage, Bjorjkstrand and T.J. Tynan. The hosts were awarded a 4-on-3 when Frk was penalized for high-sticking following a confrontation with Sifers in front of the Grand Rapids net at the 1:16 mark. On the ensuing power play, Tynan set up Ramage for a one-timer at the left point past Pasquale's right pad and in to complete the comeback.

Grand Rapids finished 1-for-3 with the man advantage while Cleveland converted on all three of their opportunities. Korpisalo stopped 22-of-24 shots to earn the victory.

The Griffins return to Van Andel Arena on Wednesday and Friday to take on the Chicago Wolves and Milwaukee Admirals, respectively. Both contests start at 7 p.m.

Notes: 40 out of 78 meetings - including 17 of the last 28 contests - between the Griffins and Monsters have been decided by one goal. 24 games between the two Central Division rivals have ended in overtime or a shootout. Grand Rapids is 19-for-59 (32%) on the man advantage over their last 12 games.

Three Stars: 1. CLE Ramage (OT-winning goal); 2. CLE Hannikainen (game-tying goal) 3. CLE Korpisalo (W, 22 saves)

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