SHORT END OF THE STICK

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 1 at Rochester Americans 2

Nov. 12, 2011

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Former Grand Rapids Griffins goaltender Drew MacIntyre survived a heavy barrage of shots to guide the Rochester Americans to a slim 2-1 win over the Griffins before a crowd of 4,711 at Blue Cross Arena Saturday night.

MacIntyre, who played for the Griffins from 2004-06, turned in a big-time performance against his old team, turning away 43 of 44 shots. Tom McCollum put on a solid display as well, making 24 saves in his first start of the season for Grand Rapids.

The Griffins got off to a quick start, recording the first six shots of the contest as the majority of play took place in the Americans’ zone. Despite their encouraging start, the Griffins fell behind at 9:03 when Colin Stuart kicked his own rebound through the slot to a waiting Zack Kassian who swept the puck home.

Brian Lashoff responded for Grand Rapids at 14:51 with a spectacular unassisted effort for his first goal of the season. The fourth-year Griffins defenseman picked up the puck just inside his blue line, beat two Americans through neutral ice before splitting the Rochester defense, and scoring with a well-placed backhand shot through MacIntyre’s five-hole.

The goaltenders were kept busy throughout the second period, with McCollum in particular making a fantastic kick-save to thwart a shorthanded two-on-one opportunity for the Americans. Despite the Griffins advantage in shots, they found themselves trailing as the period came to a close. At 18:36, Stuart notched his fifth goal of the campaign from a Joe Finley assist to give the Americans a 2-1 lead heading into the final 20 minutes.

The Griffins continued to let the rubber fly in the third period, putting 15 shots on net, but were unable to beat MacIntyre. The loss drops Grand Rapids to 6-8-0-0 on the season, while the Americans extend their lead atop the North Division with a 7-5-2-1 mark so far this year.

The Griffins will now return home for a season-high five-game homestand. On Friday, they will welcome the San Antonio Rampage before facing off with the Milwaukee Admirals for the second time this season on Saturday. Both contests are set to begin at 7 p.m. EST.

Notes: Tomas Tatar moved to within one game of 200 as a pro…Lashoff’s goal was his first for the Griffins since he scored in the 2008-09 season while on a tryout with the team.

Three Stars: 1. RCH MacIntyre (W, 43 saves); 2. RCH Stuart (goal, assist); 3. RCH Kassian (goal).