GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Daniel Larsson made 34 saves for his sixth career shutout and the Grand Rapids Griffins climbed back above the 0.500 mark on the season with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Aeros on Thursday at Van Andel Arena.

With goals from Tomas Tatar and Jan Mursak and a roster that appears to be emerging from its bout with the flu, the Griffins (5-4-0-0) have won four straight games for the first time since Dec. 17-21, 2008 and four in a row at home for the first time since Feb. 23-March 12, 2008. They’ll continue their homestand with a 7 p.m. rematch against the Aeros on Friday.

The Griffins’ power play, which went 9-for-26 over last weekend’s three-game home sweep, struck on its second chance of the night to give Grand Rapids the lead late in the opening period. Logan Pyett’s blast from the right point brushed Francis Pare before being stopped by Houston goalie Wade Dubielewicz, but the 18-year-old Tatar crashed the left post to deposit the rebound for his first pro goal at the 14:56 mark.

Mursak extended the home team’s advantage to 2-0 just 26 seconds into the middle frame. After a back-checking Kris Newbury forced a turnover inside the Aeros’ blue line, Mursak picked up the loose puck and quickly skated to the bottom of the right circle before scoring on a sharp-angle shot.

It was all Larsson from that point, as he stopped 10 shots in the first, 14 in the second and another 10 in the third to improve his personal record to 3-2. After an uncharacteristic start to the season, in which he went 0-2 with a 6.56 goals against average and a 0.795 save percentage in two road appearances, he has reclaimed his all-star form at Van Andel Arena, going 3-0 with a 1.33 GAA, a 0.962 save percentage (100-of-104) and tonight’s shutout since the Griffins’ home opener last Friday. In his last two outings alone, he shows a 0.50 GAA and a 0.987 save percentage (75-of-76).

Dubielewicz turned back 21 of 23 shots in the loss.

Three Stars: 1. GR Larsson (34 saves, shutout); 2. GR Mursak (goal); 3. GR Tatar (power play goal)