CORAZZINI'S LATE GOAL LIFTS GRIFFINS

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Carl Corazzini scored a power play goal with 3:38 remaining to give the Grand Rapids Griffins a 3-2 victory over the Rochester Americans Saturday at the Blue Cross Arena.

The win puts a halt to the Griffins’ franchise-record seven consecutive regulation losses on the road. Grand Rapids (29-40-2-6) plays its final game away from home Sunday at 4 p.m., traveling to Ontario to take on the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Garrett Stafford put the Griffins on the board first with a shorthanded goal on a setup from Jamie Tardif at 8:15 of the opening period. Tyler Redenbach forced a Rochester turnover and sent a pass ahead to Tardif, who carried the puck along the right wing boards until he found Stafford charging hard to the net for a one-timer.

The Americans knotted the score later in the period when Marek Zagrapan recorded a power play goal at 16:48. Franklin MacDonald unleashed a slap shot from the point, and Zagrapan cleaned up the rebound as he crashed the net from the lower part of the right circle.

Grand Rapids reclaimed the lead in the middle frame when Rochester netminder Adam Dennis could not cover the puck following Corazzini’s shot, allowing Redenbach to light the lamp at 12:05.

Rochester again drew even at 7:21 of the third, converting a Grand Rapids turnover into a goal. Dylan Hunter stole a pass in the Griffins’ zone and found Clarke MacArthur heading up ice. MacArthur fed Mark Mancari, who tapped a backhanded shot between the pads of Adam Berkhoel.

With the game’s outcome in the balance, Corazzini snapped a shot from the top of the left wing circle through the legs of Dennis to net the decisive tally. Stafford and Jakub Kindl assisted on the game-winner.

The Griffins peppered the net with 39 shots in the game, compared to 25 shots for the Americans. Both teams notched one power play goal, Grand Rapids having six chances and Rochester seven.