ADMIRALS SAIL ON IN SHOOTOUT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins rallied from a 2-0 deficit with a pair of power play goals to force a shootout against the Milwaukee Admirals Friday night at Van Andel Arena, but they could not pull out the second point and fell by a score of 3-2.

Milwaukee continues to prove a tough opponent for Grand Rapids, as the Griffins have just two regulation wins in their last 21 regular season and playoff games against their cross-lake rival (4-13-3-1).

The Griffins (28-36-2-6) will conclude their three-game home stand and play their second contest of a 3-in-3 set Saturday night, when they host the Rochester Americans at 7 p.m.

The Admirals (39-27-3-2) jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the midway point of the opening period. At 4:16, John Vigilante pounded a rebound past Adam Berkhoel off Cody Franson’s shot from the right circle. Then at 8:02, Gerard Miller sent a laser towards the net from the left point that Andreas Thuresson tipped over Berkhoel’s glove from the high slot.

Grand Rapids was able to narrow the gap and get on the board before the end of the period at 19:05 during a power play. With a strong individual effort, Carl Corazzini skated around the net, nearly losing the puck once he entered the slot, but he corralled it and slid a wrister by Dov Grumet-Morris into the lower right corner for an unassisted tally.

Following a scoreless second frame, the Griffins began the third with another advantage and wasted no time notching the equalizer, as Jonathan Ericsson took a pass from Corazzini and launched a rocket from along the boards atop the right circle that flew past the goaltender just 50 seconds in.

Neither side could break the 2-2 tie through the remainder of regulation or overtime, resulting in a shootout. Corazzini netted the lone Griffins goal during the first round of the duel, while both Jason Guerriero (2nd round) and Matt Ellison (3rd round) tallied for Milwaukee to secure the 3-2 victory.

Berkhoel gave a solid performance in the crease for Grand Rapids with 32 saves, while Grumet-Morris turned aside 38 for the win.