GRIFFINS FALL IN ROAD FINALE

HAMILTON, Ontario – Matt D’Agostini had a goal and an assist while Cedrick Desjardins made 30 saves to lead the Hamilton Bulldogs to a 3-1 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins Sunday at Copps Coliseum.

Grand Rapids (29-41-2-6) wrapped up the road portion of its schedule with Sunday’s contest, compiling a 13-23-1-3 record in enemy territory.

Hamilton struck first, grabbing an early edge at the 6:33 mark of the first period. D’Agostini fired a shot from near the blue line, and former Griffin Eric Manlow redirected the puck past Jimmy Howard’s glove for a 1-0 Hamilton lead.

Evan McGrath evened the count with a power play goal during a 4-on-3 situation at 10:03 of the second period. The goal, assisted by Jamie Tardif and Carl Corazzini, came on a wrist shot from the left wing circle. The assist gave Corazzini his team-leading 60th point of the season.

The Bulldogs reclaimed the lead in the final period when Garrett Stafford lost a handle on the puck deep in Grand Rapids territory, allowing Jonathan Ferland to score from the doorstep at 10:08. Minutes later, Hamilton added to its advantage when D’Agostini deflected Conrad Martin’s wrist shot from the blue line into the net at 16:32.

Howard, making his 53rd appearance of the season for Grand Rapids, recorded 28 saves in the losing effort. The Griffins’ special teams allowed no goals on four Hamilton power plays, while providing the team’s lone goal during one of three Grand Rapids power play chances.

The Griffins return home to Van Andel Arena Friday at 7 p.m. for the front end of a two-game set with the Manitoba Moose to close out the season. Should they draw at least 15,550 fans over the weekend, they will celebrate two consecutive seasons of increased attendance for the first time in the franchise’s 12 years.