DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Stars and goaltender Tobias Stephan were ungracious hosts Friday, shutting out the visiting Grand Rapids Griffins 3-0 at Wells Fargo Arena.

After unleashing 27 shots on Stephan throughout the fast-paced first two periods, Grand Rapids (18-23-2-5) only managed to put the puck on net five times while trying to rally in the final frame. The loss marks just the second time in the 11-game series history that Iowa (22-23-2-2) has defeated Grand Rapids in regulation.

The Griffins finish up their current three-games-in-three-nights stretch when they square off with the Stars in Saturday at 8:07 p.m. EST to close out the teams’ season series.

Nearly half the game passed before either team was able to light the lamp, but not for lack of trying. Both squads feverishly yet fruitlessly peppered the net until Richard Clune banged a rebound past Jimmy Howard at 9:27 of the middle frame.

Iowa extended its lead with a shorthanded tally in the third period after Clune was whistled for hooking. When the Griffins could not corral Jussi Timonen’s clearing attempt, Janos Vas pounced on the puck and backhanded the breakaway chance into the twine at 7:09.

The Stars iced the game when Chris Conner swooped behind the net and found Perttu Lindgren in the slot for a one-timer with 5:35 to play, bringing the final count to 3-0.

Howard finished with 27 saves in the Grand Rapids net. The Griffins have exceeded 30 shots in five of their past six games.

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