Sports stats



AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Pulkkinen Records Hat Trick as Griffins Defeat Wild 6-0

January 30, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Des Moines, Iowa - Teemu Pulkkinen became the second player in team history to score three power play goals in a game while Jared Coreau became the fourth goaltender to record multiple shutouts in his rookie season as the Grand Rapids Griffins defeated Iowa Wild 6-0 at Wells Fargo Arena.

The win marks the first win away from Van Andel Arena in 2015 for the Grand Rapids, snapping a three-game road losing streak. The Griffins (22-16-3-1) have won three straight games overall, and will look to extend their streak tomorrow as they travel to Milwaukee for an 8:00 pm EDT puck drop against the Admirals.

Pulkkinen, who has the AHL goal scoring lead with 24, joined Joe Murphy as the only Griffins players to score three power play goals in a game. Murphy accomplished his feat Oct. 16, 2001 at Cleveland.

His first goal on the man advantage opened the scoring at 3:02 of the first period when he received a pass from Andy Miele and fired a one-timer from top of the left circle past Darcy Kuemper after the Iowa goaltender was called for tripping at 2:43.

Anthony Mantha was credited his seventh goal of the season 1:04 later when Kuemper attempted to play the puck but Mantha blocked the shot and the puck deflected off Mantha into the open net.

Pulkkinen scored the Griffins' third goal in 3:12 when he buried into the net a rebound following a scoring chance from Mitch Callahan . The goal came 22 seconds after Brett Bulmer was assessed an additional penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct after he and Nick Jensen were given matching penalties for roughing.

Pulkkinen's final goal of the night came at 1:35 of the second period, when he put the puck just inside the crossbar when he followed up a shot from Miele.

The Griffins extended their lead to 5-0 at 18:37 of the middle period when captain Jeff Hoggan scored his fourth of the season. Hoggan screened Kuemper and deflected a shot from the stick of Nathan Paetsch . It was the fourth power play goal of the night for the Griffins, one off the team record of five set three times in 2005-06.

Iowa (15-27-1-1) made a goaltending change following the second period, as John Curry relieved Kuemper. Curry made nine saves on 10 shots, with his only blemish coming from Landon Ferraro scoring his 18th goal of the season at 6:28. The Wild turned the puck over just inside their zone and Ferraro won a race to the puck and subsequently fired a wrister past Curry.

Jared Coreau recorded his second shutout of the season, making 38 saves in the win. Kuemper made 23 saves on 28 shots in the loss. The Griffins converted four of six power plays, while the Wild failed to convert on one opportunity.

Note: Coreau became the fourth Griffins rookie to record multiple shutouts, joining Simon Lajeunesse (three in 2001-02), Joey MacDonald (three in 2002-03) and Jimmy Howard (two in 2005-06).

Three Stars: 1. GR Pulkkinen (three power play goals, assist); 2. GR Coreau (shutout win, 38 saves); 3. GR Miele (three assists)

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central