AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins' Third Period Rally Falls Short

Published on March 7, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


CEDAR PARK, Texas - Despite an unbelievable four-goal comeback in the third period, the Grand Rapids Griffins fell to the Texas Stars 5-4 in overtime at Cedar Park Center on Wednesday night.

Grand Rapids (25-22-6-4) gained a point with the overtime loss after entering the third period trailing 4-0. The team will continue its five-game road trip when it takes on the Houston Aeros on Saturday, March 10 at 8:35 p.m. EST.

The first period was uneventful until the Stars (26-28-2-2) got on the board first at the 17:31 mark. Brenden Dillon fed a perfect pass through the slot to former Griffin Mike Hedden, who redirected the puck into a wide open net.

After taking a late penalty in the first, the Griffins gave up power play goal just 22 seconds into the second period, gaining a two-goal advantage. Ty Conklin made a nice save off a shot from the slot, but an unlucky rebound allowed Francis Wathier to flick the loose puck over the sprawled Griffins netminder.

Despite several scoring chances and near misses by the Griffins, they fell down 3-0 at 5:14 in the second period. Stars leading scorer Travis Morin threw a pass that from the Griffins goal line that redirected off a Griffins defensemen and found its way into the back of the net.

Another costly rebound in the slot at 13:46 gave Luke Gazdic an easy goal, putting the Griffins in a 4-0 hole to enter the third period.

Travis Ehrhardt gave a spark to the Griffins offense, getting the team on the board with his first goal of the season 2:46 into the third period. He froze two Stars defensemen with a quick deke, faked a shot on Texas goalie Tyler Beskorowany and roofed the puck blocker side.

The Griffins struck again 48 seconds later to make the game 4-2. Fabian Brunnstrom threaded a pass through two Stars defensemen to Landon Ferraro, who redirected it and notched his seventh of the season.

The Griffins continued their offensive push at the 11:50 mark. Brian Lashoff blasted a shot from the point, which Chris Conner tipped past Beskorowany.

With an extra man on the ice, the Griffins held the puck deep in the Stars zone. Conner set up behind the net and found an open Chris Minard out front, who tied the game with 53 seconds remaining.

Unfortunately, the magnificent comeback came to an abrupt end. Drew Schiestel fired a shot from the point and Michael Forney got a piece of it 2:03 into overtime to give Texas a 5-4 victory.

Conklin fell to 5-2 as a Griffin, making 19 saves on 24 shots. Beskorowany stopped 31 in the Stars' victory.

Three Stars: 1. TEX Forney (game-winning goal); 2. TEX Benn (two assists); 3. TEX Dillon (two assists)

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American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2012


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