MOLINE, Ill. – The Griffins earned their first-ever win over the Quad City Flames with a 3-1 decision in the I Wireless Center on Saturday night. The Griffins scored three times in the third period to overcome a 1-0 deficit, while Daniel Larsson allowed just one goal for his second consecutive win.

Last season, the Flames became the first team in AHL history to sweep a season series with the Griffins, going 4-0 on the season. Matt Keetley stopped 33 of the 35 shots that he faced in net for the Flames (6-10-1-0), but Larsson was one better, stopping 25 of the 26 shots that he saw. Grand Rapids (8-2-2-1) will return to the ice tomorrow in Milwaukee against the Admirals with a 6 p.m. EST start time.

Warren Peters broke the scoreless tie at the 3:39 mark of the second period. He raced across the blue line and snapped a wrist shot from 35 feet out that slipped by Larsson’s glove. It was the first goal that Larsson had allowed in his last 91:41 of action after shutting out the Houston Aeros in his previous start.

The Griffins finally got past Keetley with 13:12 remaining in the third period when Justin Abdelkader notched his team-leading eighth goal. Landon Wilson handled the puck inside the Flames’ zone and took a hit against the boards in order to touch a pass forward to Abdelkader, who lifted a shot into the top-right corner of the net to tie the match at 1-1.

Francis Pare gave Grand Rapids its first lead of the match with his fourth goal of the campaign. With one second remaining in a 4-on-4 situation, Pare launched a slap shot from the right point that found the back of the net to make the score 2-1 in favor of the Griffins with 8:18 left in regulation.

Grand Rapids added an insurance goal with just 1:06 to go. Ryan Oulahen took a lead pass from Darren Helm and slid the puck into an open Quad City net to ice the game with the Griffins in front 3-1.

Three Stars: 1. GR Pare (Game-winning goal); 2. GR Larsson (Win, 25 saves); 3. QC Peters (1 goal)