ANOTHER QUINTET FOR ROCHESTER

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – While three of four Griffins’ leading scorers were in a Red Wings uniform tonight, an undermanned Grand Rapids team dropped their second consecutive contest to the Rochester Americans, extending their winless streak to four in 5-1 fashion.

Grand Rapids will return to Van Andel Arena for the first time in two weeks tomorrow night for a battle with the Toronto Marlies at 7 p.m.

Moments after a waved off Rochester goal when the puck slid from post to post without crossing the goal line, the Americans made one count while the Griffins were awaiting a delayed penalty. Clarke MacArthur slid the rubber from the right circle to the left connecting with Drew Stafford who one-timed a shot into the open net 3:58 into the first.

The Americans added to their lead at 7:14 during a power play with Marek Zagrapan crashing the net and receiving a pass from Brandon Smith to pound the puck over the goal line from the right side.

The Americans took advantage of a Griffins’ defensive let down at 1:12 of the second period as a wide open Janis Sprukts took a feed from Stafford and ripped a shot past Dominic Vicari from the slot. Shortly after at 3:04 Patrick Kaleta scored a controversial goal as Vicari was knocked down by an intruding American, but no call ensued and the tally was allowed.

After giving up four goals on seven shots, Vicari’s AHL debut in the Griffins crease ended and Ryan Cyr entered in relief to take part in his first AHL action.

The scoring halted until 13:37 when Michael Ryan redirected a shot down into the mesh amongst the crowded goal mouth during the man advantage.

Frustration was evident for Grand Rapids during the early minutes of the final frame as Darryl Bootland was sent to the locker room, giving the Americans an extended power play. But the Grand Rapids penalty killing unit erased the penalty, in addition to a short five-on-three without giving up a lamp lighter.

The Griffins refused to be shutout and finally tallied at 13:35 when Brendan Brooks fired a wrist shot past Craig Anderson on an assist from Scott Barney. Vicari had three saves on seven shots prior to Cyr stopping 13 of 14, and Anderson turned away 32 in net for Rochester.