Nov. 20, 2010 – Lake Erie Monsters 3 at GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 1

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A 32-save performance by Trevor Cann backstopped the Lake Erie Monsters to a 3-1 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday at Van Andel Arena.

The Griffins (8-7-0-3) will commence their first 4-in-5 of the season on Wednesday, when they visit Toronto for an 11 a.m. matinee against the Marlies.

Following a scoreless opening period, Lake Erie’s Luke Walker solved Jordan Pearce 1:50 into the second, beating Sergei Kolosov to a loose puck at center ice and skating in to rip a shot past the netminder’s glove.

The Griffins answered at the 12:20 mark on a long-range wrister by Derek Meech, snapping Grand Rapids’ scoring droughts at 165:09 overall and 157:44 at home. The deadlock was short-lived, however, as Ben Walter crashed the crease to bang a rebound into a wide-open net at 15:33 and restore the Monsters’ lead at 2-1.

Midway through the third, as the Griffins pressed for the tying goal during a long stretch without a stoppage, a non-call afforded the Monsters an opportunity they did not squander. A Grand Rapids player was pulled down without a penalty just inside the Lake Erie blue line, creating a 2-on-1 the other way. Pearce denied the initial try by Julian Talbot, but a trailing Ryan Stoa put the rebound inside the left post at 13:22.

The goal ultimately proved inconsequential, though, as Cann stood his ground during a last, desperate push by the Griffins.

Pearce deserved a better fate on the night, turning aside 23 shots in the loss.

Three Stars: 1. LE Cann (W, 32 saves); 2. LE Montgomery (2 assists); 3. GR Meech (goal)