GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 2 at San Antonio Rampage 1 OT

April 11, 2015

SAN ANTONIO — Andy Miele’s game-winning tally at 3:44 of overtime capped a comeback which appeared to be heading for a second straight shutout loss entering the final minute of regulation as the Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the San Antonio Rampage 2-1 Saturday night at AT&T Center.

Miele streaked down the left wing on a rush with Andreas Athanasiou but instead of passing the puck he kept it and fired a shot inside the far post past the glove of Rampage goaltender Sam Brittain.

The contest was highly entertaining on the offense, as the teams combined for 81 shots on goal. The Griffins outshot the Rampage 23-14 over the final two periods for a game total of 42 shots while the Rampage finished with 39 after having 25 in the first two periods.

Similar to Friday’s game, the first period didn’t see a goal from either side. The Rampage did lose a defenseman at 15:19 when Dylan Olsen drew a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding Athanasiou into the boards in addition to matching fighting majors with Colin Campbell. Athanasiou left the ice for treatment but returned for the start of the second period.

The Griffins appeared to score late in the second period but Louis-Marc Aubry’s deflection was waived off due to a high-stick.

The first goal of the night came on the power play at 6:41 of the third period when Jared Coreau stopped a flurry of shots from Dany Heatley and Garrett Wilson before Corban Knight crashed the net and poked the loose puck past Coreau.

The Griffins were headed towards getting shutout for the second straight night but captain Jeff Hoggan tied the game with 48.9 seconds remaining. Coreau was pulled for an extra attacker on a rush with 1:00 remaining. The Griffins got the puck in the attacking zone when Tomas Nosek found an open Hoggan from the right corner where Hoggan deflected the puck past Brittain for his 14th goal of the season.

Grand Rapids (44-21-6-2) had a chance to take the lead 10 seconds later when Athanasiou skated down the left wing and fired a wrister that was saved by Brittain’s blocker.

San Antonio (45-21-6-1) controlled play at the start of the extra period but a slap shot by Blake Partlett and a scoring chance by Michael Matheson on a 3-on-1 didn’t find the back of the net.

Miele’s 25th goal of the season came 16 seconds after the start of the 3-on-3 segment of overtime.

Coreau made a season-high saves as he improved his record to 9-1-0-0 in his last 10 starts dating back to Jan. 24. Brittain made 40 saves on 42 shots.

Grand Rapids will end the regular season with three games in three nights beginning Thursday against Lake Erie. The contest against the Monsters will take place at 7 p.m. in Cleveland.

Note: The Griffins are 3-1-0-0 in games following a shutout loss this season.

Three Stars: 1. GR Miele (game-winning goal); 2. GR Hoggan (goal); 3. GR Coreau (W, 39 saves)

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 2 at San Antonio Rampage 1 OT

April 11, 2015

SAN ANTONIO — Andy Miele’s game-winning tally at 3:44 of overtime capped a comeback which appeared to be heading for a second straight shutout loss entering the final minute of regulation as the Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the San Antonio Rampage 2-1 Saturday night at AT&T Center.

Miele streaked down the left wing on a rush with Andreas Athanasiou but instead of passing the puck he kept it and fired a shot inside the far post past the glove of Rampage goaltender Sam Brittain.

The contest was highly entertaining on the offense, as the teams combined for 81 shots on goal. The Griffins outshot the Rampage 23-14 over the final two periods for a game total of 42 shots while the Rampage finished with 39 after having 25 in the first two periods.

Similar to Friday’s game, the first period didn’t see a goal from either side. The Rampage did lose a defenseman at 15:19 when Dylan Olsen drew a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding Athanasiou into the boards in addition to matching fighting majors with Colin Campbell. Athanasiou left the ice for treatment but returned for the start of the second period.

The Griffins appeared to score late in the second period but Louis-Marc Aubry’s deflection was waived off due to a high-stick.

The first goal of the night came on the power play at 6:41 of the third period when Jared Coreau stopped a flurry of shots from Dany Heatley and Garrett Wilson before Corban Knight crashed the net and poked the loose puck past Coreau.

The Griffins were headed towards getting shutout for the second straight night but captain Jeff Hoggan tied the game with 48.9 seconds remaining. Coreau was pulled for an extra attacker on a rush with 1:00 remaining. The Griffins got the puck in the attacking zone when Tomas Nosek found an open Hoggan from the right corner where Hoggan deflected the puck past Brittain for his 14th goal of the season.

Grand Rapids (44-21-6-2) had a chance to take the lead 10 seconds later when Athanasiou skated down the left wing and fired a wrister that was saved by Brittain’s blocker.

San Antonio (45-21-6-1) controlled play at the start of the extra period but a slap shot by Blake Partlett and a scoring chance by Michael Matheson on a 3-on-1 didn’t find the back of the net.

Miele’s 25th goal of the season came 16 seconds after the start of the 3-on-3 segment of overtime.

Coreau made a season-high saves as he improved his record to 9-1-0-0 in his last 10 starts dating back to Jan. 24. Brittain made 40 saves on 42 shots.

Grand Rapids will end the regular season with three games in three nights beginning Thursday against Lake Erie. The contest against the Monsters will take place at 7 p.m. in Cleveland.

Note: The Griffins are 3-1-0-0 in games following a shutout loss this season.

Three Stars: 1. GR Miele (game-winning goal); 2. GR Hoggan (goal); 3. GR Coreau (W, 39 saves)