GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Tyler Plante made 37 saves to earn his third shutout of the season and secure a berth for the Rochester Americans in the Calder Cup Playoffs with a 3-0 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday at Van Andel Arena.

Evgeny Dadonov scored twice and Chris Taylor notched a goal and two assists, ensuring that the Amerks will participate in the postseason for the first time since 2007 despite a pedestrian 25-29-1-1 mark since Nov. 28.

The Griffins (31-36-3-4), who lost in regulation for just the second time in their last 11 games (6-2-1-2), will look to keep their own playoff hopes alive this Friday when they make their first-ever visit to British Columbia for a 10:30 p.m. battle with the Abbotsford Heat.

The Amerks (41-31-2-1) first struck during a power play 14:37 into the opening frame. Michal Repik slid a pass from between the circles to Taylor, who popped a shot over Daniel Larsson’s glove from the right side.

Dadonov scored his goals 4:50 apart during the middle frame to stake Rochester to its 3-0 cushion. He beat Larsson with a wrister into the left corner from the high slot at 11:09, before tallying again from nearly the same spot at the 15:59 mark.

After firing 24 shots on net during the first 40 minutes, the Griffins continued to pepper Plante in the third, out-shooting Rochester to the tune of 13-6 during the period but failing to avoid their second shutout in the last five games.

Larsson finished with 21 stops for the Griffins, who were unable to convert any of their four power play chances.

Three Stars: 1. RCH Plante (W, 37 saves); 2. RCH Taylor (PP goal, two assists); 3. RCH Dadonov (two goals)