MONSTERS BE GONE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Maxim Noreau took advantage of a defensive breakdown to score 2:54 into overtime on Wednesday and give the Lake Erie Monsters a 3-2 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel Arena.

As play progressed along the left boards during the 4-on-4 session, Noreau snuck away from his position at the blue line and darted unmarked into the right circle to bang home a back-door pass from Kenny Ryan.

The Griffins, who despite the setback have still earned points in 10 of their last 13 games (8-3-2-0), will visit Oklahoma City this weekend for a Friday-Saturday set. Game time each night is 8 p.m. EST.

Lake Erie (11-8-2-2) opened the scoring with a power play goal late in the first period. From the left side, Joey Hishon sent a pass through the goal mouth to Cody Corbett, who slammed a shot past Tom McCollum from the bottom of the right circle at 16:31.

Ryan Sproul tied matters 13:47 into the second period, taking a pass from Tomas Nosek on a rush down the right side and blistering the puck into the far corner of Sami Aittokallio’s net.

In the final minutes of the frame, with the Griffins (11-9-3-0) enjoying extended puck possession in the Monsters’ zone during a delayed penalty, Teemu Pulkkinen sent a pass from the left boards out to Nathan Paetsch, whose shot from the point bounced off the post and Aittokallio before crossing the line at the 18:35 mark for a 2-1 Grand Rapids lead.

It was Lake Erie’s turn to knot the score at 8:09 of the third period, as Mitchell Heard sped across the Griffins’ blue line on a 2-on-1, keeping the puck before scooping a backhander over McCollum from close range.

Both teams had chances to end it in regulation, but Kevin Porter’s try was swept away on the goal line with less than five minutes left, while a Noreau one-timer from the blue line in the final minute caromed harmlessly off the post behind McCollum.

McCollum and Aittokallio each made 27 saves for the game, which featured only five minor penalties. Lake Erie converted its only power play chance while Grand Rapids failed on both of its attempts.

Notes: The game marked the fifth and final Grand Rapids visit for the Monsters this season. The Griffins, who’ve only played 11 home games, have faced Lake Erie seven times in their first 23 games overall, with just three clashes in Cleveland left on the docket…Neither team has managed consecutive wins in the season series. Lake Erie has won every odd-numbered game while Grand Rapids has claimed every even-numbered contest.

Three Stars: 1. LE Noreau (game-winning goal); 2. LE Heard (game-tying goal); 3. GR Ferraro (assist)

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Maxim Noreau took advantage of a defensive breakdown to score 2:54 into overtime on Wednesday and give the Lake Erie Monsters a 3-2 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel Arena.

As play progressed along the left boards during the 4-on-4 session, Noreau snuck away from his position at the blue line and darted unmarked into the right circle to bang home a back-door pass from Kenny Ryan.

The Griffins, who despite the setback have still earned points in 10 of their last 13 games (8-3-2-0), will visit Oklahoma City this weekend for a Friday-Saturday set. Game time each night is 8 p.m. EST.

Lake Erie (11-8-2-2) opened the scoring with a power play goal late in the first period. From the left side, Joey Hishon sent a pass through the goal mouth to Cody Corbett, who slammed a shot past Tom McCollum from the bottom of the right circle at 16:31.

Ryan Sproul tied matters 13:47 into the second period, taking a pass from Tomas Nosek on a rush down the right side and blistering the puck into the far corner of Sami Aittokallio’s net.

In the final minutes of the frame, with the Griffins (11-9-3-0) enjoying extended puck possession in the Monsters’ zone during a delayed penalty, Teemu Pulkkinen sent a pass from the left boards out to Nathan Paetsch, whose shot from the point bounced off the post and Aittokallio before crossing the line at the 18:35 mark for a 2-1 Grand Rapids lead.

It was Lake Erie’s turn to knot the score at 8:09 of the third period, as Mitchell Heard sped across the Griffins’ blue line on a 2-on-1, keeping the puck before scooping a backhander over McCollum from close range.

Both teams had chances to end it in regulation, but Kevin Porter’s try was swept away on the goal line with less than five minutes left, while a Noreau one-timer from the blue line in the final minute caromed harmlessly off the post behind McCollum.

McCollum and Aittokallio each made 27 saves for the game, which featured only five minor penalties. Lake Erie converted its only power play chance while Grand Rapids failed on both of its attempts.

Notes: The game marked the fifth and final Grand Rapids visit for the Monsters this season. The Griffins, who’ve only played 11 home games, have faced Lake Erie seven times in their first 23 games overall, with just three clashes in Cleveland left on the docket…Neither team has managed consecutive wins in the season series. Lake Erie has won every odd-numbered game while Grand Rapids has claimed every even-numbered contest.

Three Stars: 1. LE Noreau (game-winning goal); 2. LE Heard (game-tying goal); 3. GR Ferraro (assist)