LATE CANNON SINKS ADMIRALS

MILWAUKEE – Randall Gelech scored with just 2:03 remaining and Jimmy Howard made 22 saves to earn his first shutout of the season, giving the Grand Rapids Griffins a 1-0 win over the Milwaukee Admirals Sunday evening at the Bradley Center.

The Griffins, who after earning only one point in nine games from Oct 28 to Nov. 21, have points in five of their last seven contests (3-2-1-1). This evening’s game marked the first time Grand Rapids defeated Milwaukee in regulation since March 14, 2006, in addition to its first 1-0 win since March 9, 2007 at Omaha.

Howard earned his ninth career shutout as a Griffin, which ties Mike Fountain for third all-time and is now just one shy of matching Marc Lamothe for second.

It took 57:57 to break the scoreless tie, but fortunately for the Griffins, Gelech finally illuminated the goal light in the waning minutes of the final period. Evan McGrath came up with the puck and soared into the Milwaukee zone along the left boards and sent a pass from the corner to the slot, where Gelech snapped a one timer to the top shelf over the glove of Pekka Rinne, who finished the game with 29 saves.

After ending their five-game road trip on a high note, the Griffins will return home Wednesday to host the Lake Erie Monsters at 7 p.m., kicking off their season-high six-game home stand (Dec. 5-15). In all, Grand Rapids will play 10 games at Van Andel Arena during the month of December.