AND THEN THERE WAS ANDERSON

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Despite recording 48 shots and four goals, the Grand Rapids Griffins fell to the Rochester Americans in a 5-4 decision Wednesday night at the Blue Cross Arena.

The Griffins will look to gain revenge Friday night in the conclusion of their two-game stint in Rochester during a 7:35 p.m. match.

Rochester scored first at 13:26 when Michael Ryan centered the puck from the bottom of the right circle allowing Marek Zagrapan to redirect it past Stefan Liv from the doorstep.

Derek Meech quickly answered at 14:50, gathering the puck on the right boards from Jeff Campbell and skating to the center to wrist a 45-footer through the pads of Craig Anderson with Matt Ellis providing the screen.

The scoring picked up quickly during the early minutes of the second period as there were five goals tallied in the first 8:12. Kip Miller notched his first goal in five games at 2:18 after breaking behind the defense and snapping a shot over Anderson’s shoulder giving the Griffins a 2-1 lead.

The lead was short-lived, as the Americans blasted back-to-back one-timers past Liv to gain a 3-2 advantage. Mike Card sent one into the goal from the hash marks at 3:05, followed by a rocket from Martin Lojek at the left circle at 4:22.

Grand Rapids fought back to tie the game at 7:12 on a shorthanded goal by Josh Langfeld, who collected a rebound from Ellis’ slap shot during a two-on-one break.

Just one minute later Rochester scored the first of a two-goal reply. Ryan pounded in a rebound from the goal mouth during a power play at 8:12, followed by a break away goal at 15:25 by Daniel Paille where he ripped a laser into the top corner over Liv’s glove.

Matt Hussey scored at 1:24 of the final frame to bring his team within one when he cut into the center and snapped the puck into the mesh after speeding up the side boards past the Rochester blue liners. But the goal stood as the last of the contest despite a Griffins power play to conclude the game.

Liv finished the night with 25 saves while a stellar Anderson turned away 44 at the other end.