Jan. 29, 2011 - GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 3 at Peoria Rivermen 2

PEORIA, Ill. – The Grand Rapids Griffins slipped past the Peoria Rivermen 3-2 Saturday night at the Carver Arena, with Jamie Tardif, Jan Mursak and Chris Minard each contributing one goal.

The Griffins (22-21-1-5) took on the Rivermen (28-17-2-1) in the final contest before the AHL All-Star break, only to return to Van Andel Arena on Friday, Feb. 4 th to take on the Hamilton Bulldogs at 7 p.m.

Peoria landed on the board early in the first, when Dave Spina slipped a power play goal past Jordan Pearce at 5:39 of the period. Grand Rapids trailed 1-0 heading into the second, before tallying two consecutive goals. The first goal was off the stick of Tardif on a power play at 5:21, followed just five minutes late with a goal by Mursak.

The Griffins began the final frame with a 2-1 advantage, before Minard extended their lead by one at 4:50 with a power play goal tipped past Jake Allen. Chris Porter notched an unassisted goal for Peoria with only 57 seconds remaining in the game, narrowing the Griffins lead 3-2.

Pearce assisted the Griffins by tallying 23 saves in the sixth of eight match ups against Peoria, while Allen posted 33 stops.

Three Stars: 1. GR Pearce (23 saves); 2. PEO Porter (1 goal); 3. GR Tardif (1 goal, 1 assist)