GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Behind a brilliant 39-save performance by Daniel Larsson, the Grand Rapids Griffins earned an impressive and much-needed 3-1 victory over the Western Conference-leading Hamilton Bulldogs on Saturday at Van Andel Arena.

Following seven straight regulation losses at home, the Griffins limited their opposition to just a single goal for the first time since Dec. 5 and beat one of the conference’s elite teams for the second time in nine days, validating their 6-3 triumph at Rochester last Friday.

Grand Rapids (21-20-0-1) will complete its three-in-three homestand on Sunday by hosting the Rockford IceHogs at 4 p.m.

The Griffins got the better of the Bulldogs during the opening period, outshooting them 11-10 and scoring the only goal at the 17:23 mark. Just three seconds after a Hamilton penalty expired, AHL All-Star Patrick Rissmiller set up along the right half-wall and threaded a pass across to Tomas Tatar, who redirected the puck past Curtis Sanford from the left hashmarks.

Grand Rapids extended its advantage to 2-0 just 3:25 into the second period, marking its first two-goal lead on home ice since a 4-2 win over San Antonio on Dec. 9. With the Griffins killing a penalty, Francis Pare took a pass from Cory Emmerton, broke in alone on Sanford and slipped a backhand inside the left post, ending Grand Rapids’ distinction as the only AHL team that had not scored a shorthanded goal this season.

The Bulldogs (26-11-3-4) received a great opportunity to dent Larsson in the form of a 46-second, 5-on-3 power play with 1:02 left in the middle frame, but Grand Rapids’ penalty killers limited Hamilton’s chances and Larsson made a great save at the left post to keep the visitors off the board.

Hamilton finally solved Larsson 7:48 into the third. David Desharnais stole the puck behind the Griffins’ net and sent a feed out front to Ryan White, who fired a shot through the netminder’s five-hole to make it a 2-1 game.

The Bulldogs furiously pressed for the tying goal, outshooting the Griffins 17-5 for the period and missing on several outstanding chances in the final minute with Sanford pulled, but Emmerton shot the puck into the empty cage from center ice with seven seconds left to seal the victory.

Sanford made 22 stops for Hamilton, which suffered its fourth straight setback (0-2-1-1).

Three Stars: 1. GR Larsson (W, 39 saves); 2. GR Pare (shorthanded goal); 3. HAM White (goal)