ROAD RUNNERS ROLL TO 3-1 WIN
EDMONTON, Alb. The Grand Rapids Griffins (21-19-1-1) fell to the Edmonton Road Runners 3-1 on Thursday night at Rexall Place. The loss drops Grand Rapids road record to 12-7-0-1.
All of the games scoring occurred in the second period.
Edmonton (23-15-3-5) scored first when Jeff Woywitka scored on a power play just over one minute into the period. Woywitka fired a shot and Joey MacDonald blocked it. He could not corral the rebound and it bounced off a skate in front of the net and rolled into the cage.
At 10:35 of the middle frame, Brad Winchester opened a 2-0 lead when he scored on a partial breakaway. He slid a shot along the ice, between MacDonalds legs.
The Griffins cut Edmontons lead in half with a power play tally from Kip Miller. Eric Himelfarb centered a pass allowing Miller to redirect the puck into an empty side of the cage with six minutes remaining in the period. The goal marked Millers 100th point (39-61100) as a Griffin in 87 outings.
Just 33 seconds later, Edmonton regained its two-goal cushion when Winchester uncorked a shot from the neutral zone. The puck eluded MacDonald and the Road Runners were staked to a 3-1 lead. Drew MacIntyre relieved MacDonald following the goal. MacDonald finished the night with 17 saves in 34:33 of action.
Early in the third period, the Griffins seemed to cut the margin to 3-2. Derek Meech fired a shot from the blue line. Moss stopped Meechs blast with his shoulder. Brent Kelly redirected the puck into Edmontons cage with his glove. The force of Meechs shot forced Moss from his crease, giving way to Mike Morrison after stopping 15 of the 16 shots he faced.
Despite outshooting Edmonton 14-3 in the third period, the Griffins were unable to find the twine behind Morrison.
MacIntyre kicked away all six shots he faced while Morrison was also perfect in 13 attempts.
The Griffins return to Van Andel Arena to host the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Detroit Red Wings broadcaster Mickey Redmond will sign autographs for fans in the banquet room prior to faceoff.
All of the games scoring occurred in the second period.
Edmonton (23-15-3-5) scored first when Jeff Woywitka scored on a power play just over one minute into the period. Woywitka fired a shot and Joey MacDonald blocked it. He could not corral the rebound and it bounced off a skate in front of the net and rolled into the cage.
At 10:35 of the middle frame, Brad Winchester opened a 2-0 lead when he scored on a partial breakaway. He slid a shot along the ice, between MacDonalds legs.
The Griffins cut Edmontons lead in half with a power play tally from Kip Miller. Eric Himelfarb centered a pass allowing Miller to redirect the puck into an empty side of the cage with six minutes remaining in the period. The goal marked Millers 100th point (39-61100) as a Griffin in 87 outings.
Just 33 seconds later, Edmonton regained its two-goal cushion when Winchester uncorked a shot from the neutral zone. The puck eluded MacDonald and the Road Runners were staked to a 3-1 lead. Drew MacIntyre relieved MacDonald following the goal. MacDonald finished the night with 17 saves in 34:33 of action.
Early in the third period, the Griffins seemed to cut the margin to 3-2. Derek Meech fired a shot from the blue line. Moss stopped Meechs blast with his shoulder. Brent Kelly redirected the puck into Edmontons cage with his glove. The force of Meechs shot forced Moss from his crease, giving way to Mike Morrison after stopping 15 of the 16 shots he faced.
Despite outshooting Edmonton 14-3 in the third period, the Griffins were unable to find the twine behind Morrison.
MacIntyre kicked away all six shots he faced while Morrison was also perfect in 13 attempts.
The Griffins return to Van Andel Arena to host the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Detroit Red Wings broadcaster Mickey Redmond will sign autographs for fans in the banquet room prior to faceoff.
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