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FLAMES BURN GRIFFINS ON LATE GOAL


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Quad City Flames used a pair of Grant Stevenson goals to rally from a 2-1 deficit and earn their franchise’s first road win on Sunday, a 3-2 decision over the Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel Arena.

Stevenson netted the tying goal with 24 seconds left in the second period and the game-winner with 2:57 remaining in the contest, giving the Flames the victory despite managing just 15 shots.

The Griffins (3-2-0-0), now 0-2 at home and 3-0 on the road this season, will board the bus for their next two games, beginning with a stop in Hamilton on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

The Griffins endured an inauspicious start for the second straight night, surrendering a goal just 1:46 into the game. Above the left circle, Flames defenseman Tim Ramholt fired an innocent-looking wrist shot that caromed off Adam Berkhoel’s glove and into the cage.

Grand Rapids answered at 11:07 on the season’s first goal by Garrett Stafford, who ripped a shot from the high slot that popped the water bottle off the top of Kevin Lalande’s net.

The Griffins’ defense smothered the Flames’ offense over the game’s first 30 minutes, allowing a mere four shots against Berkhoel. Their offense, meanwhile, gave them their first home-ice lead of the season on the power play at 12:14 of the second period, when Mark Cullen one-timed a Carl Corazzini pass over the glove of Lalande from low in the right circle.

Quad City (2-2-0-1) knotted the score during a delayed penalty at 19:36 of the second period, as Stevenson pounced on a loose puck on the doorstep following a scramble around the net.

The Flames, shut down once again for most of the third period, scored the late game-winner on just their 13th shot, with Stevenson finishing off a 2-on-1 break from the right side. Shortly thereafter, Grand Rapids’ Mark Hartigan was whistled off on a hooking penalty, effectively dousing the Griffins’ chances for forcing overtime.

Berkhoel finished with 12 saves in his Van Andel Arena debut, while Lalande earned his first pro win behind 21 stops.

After the game the Detroit Red Wings recalled left wing Igor Grigorenko, who is scoreless with two penalty minutes in five games with the Griffins during his first season in North America.

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