Jan. 16, 2011 - GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 3 at Houston Aeros 2 SO

HOUSTON – Chris Minard grounded the Aeros with a 3-2 shootout victory for the Grand Rapids at the Toyota Center on Sunday, finishing a back-to-back weekend in Houston for the Griffins.

Wrapping up their season series against the Aeros (24-18-1-3), the Griffins (19-19-1-4) move one-step closer to completing a season-high six-game road trip before returning home to Van Andel next weekend. Grand Rapids will complete their Texas road-trip Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. EST, when travel to Austin to take on the Texas Stars at the Cedar Park Center.

Houston was quick off the draw, landing on the board first with an unassisted goal by Robbie Earl at 7:05 of the first period. Shortly after, Jon DiSalvatore slipped the puck to Patrick O’Sullivan, who knocked one past Jordan Pearce at the nine minute mark giving the Aeros a 2-0 advantage heading into the second period.

A brief exchange of fists between Drew Bagnall and Adam Keefe just 20 seconds into the period, proved to be the only action until the Griffins found the net late in the frame. Greg Amadio launched a quick pass to Jamie Tardif, who fired off a goal unseen by Matt Hackett at 15:41, narrowing Houston’s lead 2-1.

Derek Meech rallied for the Griffins, finding the net at 9:42 of the third period to tie the score 2-2. Meech claimed his second goal against the Aeros this weekend, after tallying the Griffins only goal last night. After sending the game to a shootout, Minard claimed the 3-2 win with quick shot past the glove of Hackett.

Pearce tallied 24 saves for Grand Rapids and went 4 for 6 in the shootout while, Houston goalie, Hackett posted 35 saves and stopped 3 of 6.

Three Stars: 1. GR Minard (SO goal); 2. HOU Earl (1 goal); 3. GR Meech (1 goal)