HOUSTON – The Grand Rapids Griffins earned their first win of the season Saturday night thanks to a 3-1 victory over the Houston Aeros at the Toyota Center. Stefan Liv was solid during his North American debut recording 33 saves on 34 shots, while the Griffins’ penalty killing unit was flawless turning away 12 Aeros power play chances.

Krystofer Kolanos provided the first Griffins goal 7:05 into the game during a power play on a slap shot from the top of the left circle after receiving a pass from Kyle Quincey. The Aeros notched the equalizer during 4-on-4 action when Ben Thomson buried a rebound that came off a failed wraparound chance by Peter Ratchuk at the 12:41 mark.

Grand Rapids gained the upper hand early in the second when Eric Himelfarb found a streaking Brendan Brooks and slid a pass through the goal mouth to the speedster during a 2-on-1 break.

The Griffins expanded their lead heading into intermission when Dan Smith forced a turnover allowing Matt Ellis to skate in shorthanded and rip a shot over the glove of Josh Harding at 17:37. The goal marks Ellis’ eighth shorthanded tally as a Griffin extending his franchise record.

Both teams remained scoreless through the final frame giving Grand Rapids their first win of the season. The Griffins conclude their three-game road trip next Friday in Toronto against the Marlies at 7:30 p.m. EDT, before kicking off their home schedule and an eight-game home stand next Saturday.