LAST-MINUTE ANTICS

MILWAUKEE – Mitch Callahan’s winner in the shootout capped a comeback by the Grand Rapids Griffins as they defeated the Milwaukee Admirals 2-1 Sunday afternoon at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

The game reached overtime and subsequently the shootout via Teemu Pulkkinen’s game-tying goal at 19:10 of the final period. Prior to the goal, Milwaukee goaltender Magnus Hellberg kept the Griffins off the scoreboard for 119 minutes this season, dating back to the Admirals’ 4-0 win at home Nov. 7.

Grand Rapids (11-9-2-0) pulled Jared Coreau in favor of an extra attacker with under 2:00 remaining in the game. After the Griffins won a draw in the Admirals zone, Ryan Sproul fired a shot from the point that was saved by Hellberg. A scrum of both Griffins and Admirals players ensued and after several whacks at the puck it was Pulkkinen who had the final poke to score his 11th goal of the campaign.

Overtime was highly entertaining as both teams had chances to win the game including a shot by Callahan that ringed off the post.

Milwaukee (12-7-0-3) went first in the shootout, where Austin Watson tried to go between Coreau’s legs that was saved off his left pad. Andy Miele took the first shot for Grand Rapids, scoring as his backhand-to-forehand shot over Hellberg’s right leg couldn’t be saved.

Patrick Cehlin’s wrister past Coreau’s glove evened the shootout score at 1-1. Anthony Mantha followed up with an unsuccessful shot that went over Hellberg’s blocker. The last shooter in the three-man shootout for Milwaukee was Miikka Salomaki. He slowly approached Coreau but his shot caught the right pad of Coreau.

The last shooter for the Griffins was Callahan and he scored the game-winner with a quick snap between Hellberg’s legs to win the game for the Griffins.

Pontus Aberg got the first goal of the game in the opening period at 12:36 when he took advantage of a turnover by Xavier Ouellet in the neutral zone for his team-leading ninth tally of the season. Aberg was joined on the rush by Mark Van Guilder as Aberg faked the pass to his left and fired a shot over the glove of Coreau.

Coreau’s three appearances this season have all been on the road. His record is now 3-0-0-0 after tonight’s 21 save performance. Hellberg made 34 saves in the loss.

Both Grand Rapids and Milwaukee went 0-for-2 on the power play. The Griffins return to Van Andel Arena Wednesday night when they face Lake Erie at 7 p.m.

Three stars: 1. MIL Hellberg (SOL, 34 SV); 2. GR M. Callahan (assist, shootout-clinching goal); 3. GR Coreau (SOW, 23 SV)

MILWAUKEE – Mitch Callahan’s winner in the shootout capped a comeback by the Grand Rapids Griffins as they defeated the Milwaukee Admirals 2-1 Sunday afternoon at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

The game reached overtime and subsequently the shootout via Teemu Pulkkinen’s game-tying goal at 19:10 of the final period. Prior to the goal, Milwaukee goaltender Magnus Hellberg kept the Griffins off the scoreboard for 119 minutes this season, dating back to the Admirals’ 4-0 win at home Nov. 7.

Grand Rapids (11-9-2-0) pulled Jared Coreau in favor of an extra attacker with under 2:00 remaining in the game. After the Griffins won a draw in the Admirals zone, Ryan Sproul fired a shot from the point that was saved by Hellberg. A scrum of both Griffins and Admirals players ensued and after several whacks at the puck it was Pulkkinen who had the final poke to score his 11th goal of the campaign.

Overtime was highly entertaining as both teams had chances to win the game including a shot by Callahan that ringed off the post.

Milwaukee (12-7-0-3) went first in the shootout, where Austin Watson tried to go between Coreau’s legs that was saved off his left pad. Andy Miele took the first shot for Grand Rapids, scoring as his backhand-to-forehand shot over Hellberg’s right leg couldn’t be saved.

Patrick Cehlin’s wrister past Coreau’s glove evened the shootout score at 1-1. Anthony Mantha followed up with an unsuccessful shot that went over Hellberg’s blocker. The last shooter in the three-man shootout for Milwaukee was Miikka Salomaki. He slowly approached Coreau but his shot caught the right pad of Coreau.

The last shooter for the Griffins was Callahan and he scored the game-winner with a quick snap between Hellberg’s legs to win the game for the Griffins.

Pontus Aberg got the first goal of the game in the opening period at 12:36 when he took advantage of a turnover by Xavier Ouellet in the neutral zone for his team-leading ninth tally of the season. Aberg was joined on the rush by Mark Van Guilder as Aberg faked the pass to his left and fired a shot over the glove of Coreau.

Coreau’s three appearances this season have all been on the road. His record is now 3-0-0-0 after tonight’s 21 save performance. Hellberg made 34 saves in the loss.

Both Grand Rapids and Milwaukee went 0-for-2 on the power play. The Griffins return to Van Andel Arena Wednesday night when they face Lake Erie at 7 p.m.

Three stars: 1. MIL Hellberg (SOL, 34 SV); 2. GR M. Callahan (assist, shootout-clinching goal); 3. GR Coreau (SOW, 23 SV)