DUCKS BLANK GRIFFINS 3-0
CINCINNATI, Ohio Frederic Cassivi stopped all 39 shots to lead the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (27-24-1-3) to a 3-0 shutout win over the Grand Rapids Griffins (25-24-1-1) on Saturday night at the Cincinnati Gardens.
The Mighty Ducks scored the only goal they would need on their initial power play opportunity when Shane OBrien snuck in from his point, took a pass from Chris Kunitz and wristed a shot past MacDonald at 6:06 of the opening frame.
The Griffins did not let the slim deficit deter their relentless attack of the Cincinnati cage. The Griffins peppered Cassivi with 18 shots in the first period and 17 in the second, but were unable to find the twine.
Midway through the second period Tomas Malec, who assisted on the first goal, pounced on the rebound of OBriens shot to stake Cincinnati to a 2-0 lead.
About five minutes into the third period, the Griffins had apparently sliced the margin in half with a power play tally. Kronwall fired a bullet from the blueline. Cassivi gloved the puck, but it bounced out of his glove and fluttered over the goal line. The light did not go on and referee Justin St. Pierre blew the play dead, ruling the puck did not cross the line.
Former Ferris State standout Kunitz set Casey Hankinson up for the third goal of the game at 12:08 of the third period. Kunitz made a nifty move through the neutral zone and found a streaking Hankinson with a pass. Hankinson tucked the puck inside the left goal post.
The Griffins were unsuccessful on nine power play attempts, while Cincinnati converted one of their nine attempts.
MacDonald finished the game with 26 saves.
The Griffins play their third game in as many days when they host the Philadelphia Phantoms on Sunday at 4 p.m.
The Mighty Ducks scored the only goal they would need on their initial power play opportunity when Shane OBrien snuck in from his point, took a pass from Chris Kunitz and wristed a shot past MacDonald at 6:06 of the opening frame.
The Griffins did not let the slim deficit deter their relentless attack of the Cincinnati cage. The Griffins peppered Cassivi with 18 shots in the first period and 17 in the second, but were unable to find the twine.
Midway through the second period Tomas Malec, who assisted on the first goal, pounced on the rebound of OBriens shot to stake Cincinnati to a 2-0 lead.
About five minutes into the third period, the Griffins had apparently sliced the margin in half with a power play tally. Kronwall fired a bullet from the blueline. Cassivi gloved the puck, but it bounced out of his glove and fluttered over the goal line. The light did not go on and referee Justin St. Pierre blew the play dead, ruling the puck did not cross the line.
Former Ferris State standout Kunitz set Casey Hankinson up for the third goal of the game at 12:08 of the third period. Kunitz made a nifty move through the neutral zone and found a streaking Hankinson with a pass. Hankinson tucked the puck inside the left goal post.
The Griffins were unsuccessful on nine power play attempts, while Cincinnati converted one of their nine attempts.
MacDonald finished the game with 26 saves.
The Griffins play their third game in as many days when they host the Philadelphia Phantoms on Sunday at 4 p.m.
