Houston Aeros 1 at GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 0

Jan. 25, 2013

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves for the Houston Aeros on Friday to record his third shutout in just 11 appearances this season, a 1-0 decision over the Grand Rapids Griffins before a sellout crowd of 10,834 at Van Andel Arena.

Kuemper’s efforts were nearly matched by the Griffins’ Petr Mrazek, who finished with 26 stops and lost sight of the only puck that eluded his grasp. The battle between two of the AHL’s top young netminders could be reprised on Saturday, when the Griffins again host the Aeros at 7 p.m.

The first period played out in scoreless fashion thanks in large part to Mrazek, who stoned Zack Phillips in the final minute after the Houston center was left alone on the doorstep during a power play.

The Aeros (20-15-4-3) eventually capitalized on a fortunate break to score the game’s only goal with 2:57 left in the second period. From the left corner, David McIntyre took a sharp-angle shot that hit Mrazek’s pad, slipped through his five hole, slid along the line and came to a rest near the right post before Justin Fontaine rushed in to jam it home.

With 3:08 remaining in the third period, a delay of game penalty to Houston gave the Griffins (24-13-2-2) their third power play chance of the night. But despite applying pressure during that opportunity, pulling Mrazek for an extra attacker in the final minute and calling a timeout with 26 seconds left, Grand Rapids was unable to solve Kuemper and force overtime.

The Griffins, who began the night ranked fifth in the AHL in goals per game, suffered their fourth shutout of the season and their second 1-0 defeat in a span of five outings. After an identical loss at Charlotte on Jan. 16, they had posted three straight wins by a combined 21-13 tally.

Note: The sellout was the Griffins’ second of the campaign and their first in a midseason game (non-opener/finale) since March 19, 2011.

Three Stars: 1. HOU Kuemper (W, 28 saves, shutout); 2. HOU Fontaine (game-winning goal); 3. GR Mrazek (L, 26 saves)