Griffins Smother Flames in Shootout, 2-1
January 23, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - A third-period comeback and a flawless performance in the shootout gave the Grand Rapids Griffins a 2-1 victory over the Quad City Flames on Friday at Van Andel Arena.
Ville Leino tied the game early in the third period and kicked off the Griffins' perfect 3-for-3 effort in the shootout, while Daniel Larsson turned aside 34 shots during play before denying all three Flames attempts in the extra session.
Grand Rapids (27-9-6-3), which improved to 16-3-3-3 at home this season and 14-2-3-0 in its last 19 games overall, will host a rematch with Quad City at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The Flames struck first with a rare opponent power play goal - the first at Van Andel Arena since Dec. 26 - midway through the opening period. With the Griffins unable to clear a loose puck out of their slot, Kyle Greentree took advantage and fired a shot that trickled through Larsson's pads at 10:19.
The score remained 1-0 until the 1:55 mark of the third period, when Grand Rapids answered with a power play goal of its own. Darren Haydar's cannon from the top of the left circle was stopped by Matt Keetley, but Leino was waiting outside the crease to pop home the rebound.
The contest progressed to overtime and eventually to a shootout, marking the first time since Dec. 21-26, 2007 that three straight Griffins games (in the same season) were tied at the end of regulation. In the shootout, Larsson doused Adam Cracknell, Carsen Germyn and Greentree in succession, while the Griffins made quick work of the Flames on the other end on goals by Leino, Mattias Ritola and Evan McGrath.
Keetley stopped 25-of-26 for the Flames (16-19-5-4), who are 1-3-1-1 thus far on their nine-game road swing.
Three Stars: 1. GR Larsson (W, 34 saves); 2. QC Keetley (SOL, 25 saves); 3. GR Leino (power play goal, shootout goal)
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