GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 1 at Peoria Rivermen 4

March 2, 2013

PEORIA, Ill. – In their second of three road games this weekend, the Grand Rapids Griffins fell to the Peoria Rivermen 4-1 on Saturday at Carver Arena.

After jumping out to an early 1-0 lead, the Griffins (31-19-2-2) were unable to overcome a three-goal deficit after surrendering four consecutive goals to the Rivermen.

Gustav Nyquist didn’t waste any time putting the Griffins on the scoreboard, scoring the team’s first and only goal of the game at 3:03 of the opening period. The right wing’s pass intended for Francis Pare deflected off a defenseman’s skate and slipped inside the left goal post. Nyquist has scored in four straight games for the Griffins and has 11 points (5-6—11) over his five-game point streak (Feb. 22-March 2).

The Rivermen (24-24-4-3) scored back-to-back goals to take a 2-1 lead in the first period. Mark Cundari took a long shot from just inside the blue line and the puck was deflected, taking a Peoria bounce past Petr Mrazek at 8:22.

Eleven seconds later, Sergey Andronov whistled a wrist shot past Mrazek from the right wing circle, giving Peoria a one-goal lead heading into the second period.

The Rivermen picked up where they left off in the first, scoring 36 seconds into the second period to take a commanding 3-1 lead. Brent Regner’s shot through traffic snuck past Mrazek, tallying his fourth goal of the season.

The Griffins had an opportunity to cut Peoria’s lead to one goal midway through the final period, but were unable to tally a shot on net for 41 seconds of a five-on-three advantage.

With two minutes left in the game, the Griffins pulled Mrazek for a six-on-five opportunity, but Peoria sealed the victory with an empty net goal by Evgeny Grachev at 19:01.

Mrazek recorded 28 saves while Jake Allen earned the victory behind 28.

The Griffins will return to Milwaukee to complete their three-in-three weekend tomorrow against the Admirals at 4 p.m. EST.

Three Stars: 1. PEO Allen (W, 28 saves); 2. PEO Andronov (goal); 3. PEO Regner (goal)