GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 2 at Milwaukee Admirals 3 SO

Jan. 6, 2013

MILWAUKEE – The Grand Rapids Griffins finished their first three-in-three of 2013 on Sunday, losing 3-2 in a nine-round shootout to the Milwaukee Admirals at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

After the Griffins jumped to a 2-0 lead in the second period, the Admirals scored two unanswered goals to send the game into overtime. The lengthy shootout followed a scoreless overtime, and the Admirals scored four straight goals en route to their shootout win. The Griffins took five of six points in the three-in-three weekend.

The Griffins (20-10-1-2) jumped on the scoreboard early as Gustav Nyquist scored just 37 seconds into the first period. Nathan Paetsch let a long shot go from the left point and Riley Sheahan deflected the puck to Nyquist, who was waiting on the bottom of the right circle. Goaltender Jeremy Smith got a piece of Nyquist’s shot but the puck bounced past him into the back of the net.

Landon Ferraro netted the second goal of the night and his 12th of the season at 3:16 of the second period. From the left wing boards, Ferraro fired a pass across the crease that was intended for Jeff Hoggan, but the pass deflected off Milwaukee’s Patrick Cehlin, taking a fortunate bounce into the net.

Milwaukee (17-13-2-2) cut the Griffins lead in half on a power play goal at 7:07 of the second period. The Admirals worked the puck effectively as Taylor Beck found Chris Mueller on the right side of the goal, who then fed Victor Bartley on the left point. Bartley snapped his shot into the top of the net over Petr Mrazek’s blocker to put the Admirals on the scoreboard.

Kevin Henderson scored the game-tying goal for the Admirals at 14:55 of the second period. Jonathon Blum drove the puck hard to the net and deflected it to Henderson standing in front of the net. Henderson deposited the puck to the back of the net for his ninth goal of the season.

After a scoreless third period, the Griffins went into overtime for the second straight night. Neither team notched a goal in the overtime period and Chad Billins ignited the Griffins attack with his goal in the second round of the shootout. Tomas Tatar, Sheahan and Adam Almquist scored in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, forcing the Admirals into must-score situations, but Milwaukee answered in each round to force the shootout to a ninth. Newcomer Joshua Shalla scored the lone goal in the ninth to help the Admirals notch their third win against Grand Rapids this season.

Mrazek finished with 20 saves while Smith earned the win behind 29 saves.

The Griffins will play on the road again on Wednesday, traveling to Rockford to take on the IceHogs Wednesday at 8:05 p.m. EST.

Three Stars: 1. MIL Smith (W, 29 saves); 2. GR Mrazek (20 saves); 3. MIL Henderson (goal)

Griffins Game Rewind