GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 4 at Hamilton Bulldogs 1

March 10, 2013

HAMILTON, ONTARIO – In their fourth and final meeting this season, the Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the Hamilton Bulldogs 4-1 Sunday at Copps Coliseum.

After the Bulldogs tied the game at one early in the third period, the Griffins scored three unanswered goals to sweep their three-in-three weekend. The Griffins were 3-8 on the power play in their fourth straight victory.

The Griffins (35-19-2-2) scored early in the first period to take a 1-0 lead. Riley Sheahan’s rebound bounced to Chad Billins at the point, and the defenseman’s shot went over Robert Mayer for the power play goal at 2:38. The goal tallied Billins’ sixth point in the last seven games.

Grand Rapids had an opportunity to take a two-goal lead midway through the second period. Adam Almquist picked up a rebound in front of the goal, but Mayer gloved the defenseman’s shot to keep the Bulldogs within one.

After a scoreless second period, the Bulldogs (24-29-1-5) tied the game at one on a power play goal at 1:13 of the third. Mike Blunden’s shot from the right wing circle slipped under the crossbar past Tom McCollum.

Sheahan put the Griffins back on top 2-1 at 5:17 of the final period. With three seconds remaining in a Grand Rapids power play, Nyquist took a shot from the top of the right wing circle and Sheahan tipped it past Mayer.

Nyquist gave Grand Rapids a 3-1 lead with the Griffins’ third power play goal of the game at 16:43 of the third period. The shot from the bottom of the right wing circle gave the Halmstad, Sweden native his third point of the contest.

Jeff Hoggan gave the Griffins a commanding 4-1 lead 17 seconds after Nyquist’s goal. The left wing’s shot from the top of the left wing circle blew by the glove of Mayer with 3:00 left in the final period.

After stopping 42 of 43 shots last night, Mayer recorded 44 saves in the loss to the Griffins. McCollum stopped 21 of 22 shots in the Grand Rapids victory. The win is McCollum’s 41st in a Griffins uniform, tying the goaltender for sixth place in franchise history with Ian Gordon.

The Griffins will return to Grand Rapids for their next contest as they host the Chicago Wolves Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Three Stars: 1. GR Sheahan (goal, assist); 2. GR Nyquist (goal, two assists); 3. GR Skinner (two assists)