GRIFFINS FALL TO MONSTERS IN SHOOTOUT, 2-1

Feb. 12, 2011 - GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 1 at Lake Erie Monsters 2 SO

CLEVELAND – The Grand Rapids Griffins fell 2-1 in a shootout Saturday night against the Lake Erie Monsters at the Quicken Loans Arena.

After visiting the Lake Erie Monsters (26-22-3-5) for the fifth of eight meetings between the two clubs, the Griffins (23-23-1-6) will continue on the road to take on the Rochester Americans Sunday at 3:05 p.m.

Jamie Tardif put the Griffins on the board early in the first, slipping a goal past Jason Bacashihua at 5:48 of the period. Grand Rapids carried a 1-0 advantage into the middle frame, before Patrick Rissmiller responded with a goal for the Monsters at 12:01 to even the score 1-1.

Both teams battled through a scoreless third period, while Jordan Pearce kept the Griffins alive with critical back-to-back saves to send the game to a shootout. Mike Carman claimed the shootout game-winning goal in round six over Ilari Filppula’s lone goal for the Griffins in the shootout.

Pearce posted 19 saves on 20 shots and stopped four of six shootout attempts, while Bacashihua tallied 29 saves on 30 shots and stopped five of six shootout attempts.

Three Stars: 1. LE Carman (SO goal); 2. LE Bacashihua (29 saves); 3. LE Rissmiller (1 goal)