GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 4 at Rockford IceHogs 0

Dec. 6, 2014

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Goaltender Jared Coreau earned his second win in as many starts and first shutout of the season Saturday night as the Grand Rapids Griffins blanked Midwest Division leader Rockford IceHogs 4-0 at BMO Harris Bank Center.

In his first appearance since his first win of the season last Saturday at Adirondack, Coreau turned away all 31 shots he faced from Rockford in a performance that earned him first star honors.

Kevin Porter scored the first goal of the night at 11:17 when he backhanded his fourth goal of the season following shots from Tomas Nosek and Mark Zengerle that were saved by Michael Leighton.

As the first period was coming to a close, Andy Miele won a draw in the Griffins zone. The puck went to Anthony Mantha, as Andreas Athanasiou joined him in blazing past the IceHogs defense toward Leighton. Mantha passed the puck to his right where Athanasiou beat a sliding Leighton with a wrister from 12 feet to score his fifth of the campaign at 19:51.

Grand Rapids (10-9-2-0) gained a 5-on-3 advantage due to Garret Ross and Dennis Rasmussen penalties for Rockford in the second period. Shortly after Rasmussen was sent off for slashing, Andy Miele found Mantha streaking towards the goal where Mantha blasted a shot past Leighton for his third goal of the season at 6:59.

Landon Ferraro finished the scoring in the third period with an empty-net tally at 16:46.

Rockford (16-6-1-1) failed to score on five power play opportunities. Grand Rapids tallied one goal on their five power play chances. Leighton stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced.

Notes: The last time the Griffins posted a shutout on the road was a 3-0 win at Oklahoma City in Game 5 of 2013 Western Conference Final.

Three stars: 1. GR Coreau (W, 31 saves, shutout); 2. GR Mantha (power play goal, assist); 3. GR Athanasiou (goal).

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 4 at Rockford IceHogs 0

Dec. 6, 2014

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Goaltender Jared Coreau earned his second win in as many starts and first shutout of the season Saturday night as the Grand Rapids Griffins blanked Midwest Division leader Rockford IceHogs 4-0 at BMO Harris Bank Center.

In his first appearance since his first win of the season last Saturday at Adirondack, Coreau turned away all 31 shots he faced from Rockford in a performance that earned him first star honors.

Kevin Porter scored the first goal of the night at 11:17 when he backhanded his fourth goal of the season following following shots from Tomas Nosek and Mark Zengerle that were saved by Michael Leighton.

As the first period was coming to a close, Andy Miele won a draw in the Griffins zone. The puck went to Anthony Mantha, as Andreas Athanasiou joined him in blazing past the IceHogs defense toward Leighton. Mantha passed the puck to his right where Athanasiou beat a sliding Leighton with a wrister from 12 feet to score his fifth of the campaign at 19:51.

Grand Rapids (10-9-2-0) gained a 5-on-3 advantage due to Garret Ross and Dennis Rasmussen penalties for Rockford in the second period. Shortly after Rasmussen was sent off for slashing, Andy Miele found Mantha streaking towards the goal where Mantha blasted a shot past Leighton for his third goal of the season at 6:59.

Landon Ferraro finished the scoring in the third period with an empty-net tally at 16:46.

Rockford (16-6-1-1) failed to score on five power play opportunities. Grand Rapids tallied one goal on their five power play chances. Leighton stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced.

Notes: The last time the Griffins posted a shutout on the road was a 3-0 win at Oklahoma City in Game 5 of 2013 Western Conference Final.

Three stars: 1. GR Coreau (W, 31 saves, shutout); 2. GR Mantha (power play goal, assist); 3. GR Athanasiou (goal).