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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Split Series in Winnipeg, Fall to Manitoba Moose 2-1

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


WINNIPEG - Eric Comrie stopped 37 of 38 shots he faced, while Patrice Cormier's goal with 9:13 remaining in regulation proved to be the game-winner as the Grand Rapids Griffins fell to the Manitoba Moose 2-1 on Tuesday at MTS Centre.

The Griffins (19-11-0-1) came close to opening the scoring in the first frame, only to be denied by a crossbar and goalpost. Eric Tangradi fired a snap shot from the right circle, beating Comrie on his blocker-side shoulder but grazing the crossbar before going out of play at the 12:42 mark. A second chance came when Xavier Ouellet's wrist shot from the point found its way through traffic and struck the inside of the left post, going behind Comrie and through the goal crease unclaimed with 5:30 remaining.

Chase De Leo gave Manitoba (10-17-1-3) the lead on a 5-on-3 power play with 28 seconds left in the opening period. With Andy Miele and Colin Campbell both in the penalty box, J.C. Lipon's pass from the left circle was redirected in by De Leo at the far post.

The Griffins came out strong in the second, nearly tying the score in the opening minute. Shortly after coming out of the penalty box, Campbell received a stretch pass from Tangradi for a breakaway, but his effort missed the net high to the blocker side.

The visitors had another breakaway with 5:35 to go after Louis-Marc Aubry fed Jeff Hoggan in the neutral zone. Hoggan then gained the zone on the right side going from right to left on his forehand, but despite his patience was unable to lift the puck over the right pad of a sprawling Comrie.

Tangradi tied the score on a 4-on-3 power play with 4:07 remaining in the middle frame. Martin Frk's slapshot from the high slot forced a left pad save from Comrie, but the rebound kicked straight to Tangradi, who put the puck between the Manitoba netminder's legs for his team-leading 15th of the campaign. The goal was no less than the Griffins deserved, as they outshot the Moose 12-3 in the period.

Patrice Cormier restored Manitoba's one-goal advantage with 9:13 left in regulation. John Albert's centering pass from behind the goalline found Cormier in the slot, who lifted the puck past Coreau's right pad and in. The Griffins would not go away quietly, but were unable to take advantage of two De Leo minor penalties in the final 5:48.

Manitoba went 1-for-2 on the power play, while Grand Rapids converted on one of five opportunities. Coreau, who on Monday was named the CCM/AHL goaltender of the month for December, stopped 24 of 26 shots in his first defeat when allowing two or fewer goals this season.

The Griffins return to Van Andel Arena on Friday and Saturday for matchups with the Milwaukee Admirals and Lake Erie Monsters, respectively. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Three Stars: 1. MB Comrie (W, 37 saves); 2. MB Cormier (goal); 3. MB Morrissey (assist)

Notes: Tangradi played parts of two seasons at MTS Centre, registering 10 points in 91 games for the NHL's Winnipeg Jets from 2013-14...The Griffins are 14-2-0-0 when allowing two or fewer goals this season...Vili Saarijarvi, the Detroit Red Wings' second choice (73rd overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, won the gold medal with Team Finland at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships on Tuesday in Helsinki, recording four assists in seven games. Saarijarvi currently plays for the OHL's Flint Firebirds.

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