AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins rally falls short in 4-3 loss at Milwaukee

Published on February 10, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


MILWAUKEE - The Grand Rapids Griffins have played four games in Milwaukee this season and each one has ended the same way. On Tuesday night, the Griffins suffered their fourth one-goal loss to the Admirals at the Bradley Center, falling 4-3 despite a third-period comeback.

Justin Abdelkader scored a goal and added an assist for the Griffins (31-12-6-4), who tallied twice in the first 2:42 of the third period to overcome a two-goal deficit. Darren Haydar scored a goal to extend his point streak to five games (4-4-8), while Corey Emmerton picked up an assist for the fourth consecutive game. Jimmy Howard stopped 24 shots in net for Grand Rapids, while Drew McIntyre knocked aside 22 shots for the Admirals (34-13-2-2).

Hugh Jessiman snapped a loose puck past Howard's blocker to start the scoring 7:49 into the first period. Just 36 seconds later, Abdelkader knocked down a pass behind the Milwaukee net and sent it out front to Haydar, who slammed it home from in close to record his 20th goal of the season and tie the score at 1-1.

After 12:49 of scoreless play in the second period, Cal O'Reilly slammed home the rebound of a T.J. McElroy shot after a faceoff to put the Admirals back on top at 2-1. Ryan Maki gave the Admirals a two-goal lead when he slipped a shot through Howard's pads with 4:27 left in the period.

Jan Mursak dropped the gloves with Cody Franson after the second period and it seemed to spark his teammates heading into the final period. Evan McGrath broke out on a three-on-one with linemates Francis Pare and Francis Lemieux and scored on a one-timer goal from the left side, cutting the lead to one 2:19 into the final period. Just 23 seconds later, Abdelkader tucked the puck inside the right goalpost on a wrap-around to tie the score at 3-3.

The game-winner came with 7:29 left in the game, as Robert Dietrich took a wrist shot from the blue line that found its way through a maze of legs and into the back of the net after deflecting off Maki's stick, putting the Admirals back on top by a score of 4-3.

Three Stars: 1. MIL Maki (2 goals); 2. GR Abdelkader (Goal, assist); 3. MIL O'Reilly (Goal)

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American Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2009


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