NICE TO MEECH YOU

CLEVELAND The Grand Rapids Griffins extended their winning streak in road openers to seven with an impressive 5-2 win over the Cleveland Barons Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

Led by four points from defenseman Derek Meech (1G, 3A), the Griffins once again showed why they have the AHLs top power play to start the season (6 of 11 54.5%) - scoring on two out of five opportunities on the night. The Grand Rapids penalty kill was dominant as well, holding the Barons scoreless on 10 power play chances.

Head coach Greg Irelands troops dodged a few bullets early, killing off three first period Cleveland power plays to keep the game scoreless at the intermission. Drew MacIntyre answered the call with eight saves for Grand Rapids, while Dimitri Patzold stopped all nine shots he faced for the Barons early on.

The fireworks began in the second frame, as Meech ignited the Griffins offense with a power play goal off of a rebound at the 2:12 mark. Clevelands Lukas Kaspar notched the equalizer on the man-advantage four minutes later, but the Barons could not withstand the Griffins continued pressure on the forecheck.

Grand Rapids scored on a delayed penalty call to retake the lead with 11:03 remaining in the second, as center Eric Manlow beat Patzold for his second goal of the season. Darryl Bootland scored just moments later on the doorstep of the Barons goal, with help from captain Matt Ellis and winger Nate DiCasmirro. Jiri Hudler then poured gasoline on the fire with his third goal of the young season, and the Griffins' third unanswered goal in a six-minute span, on a deflection in front of the net. A quick strike by Barons forward Steve Bernier brought Cleveland within a 4-2 margin at periods end.

Valterri Filppula turned on the jets early in the third, firing a top-shelf laser from the right-side circle to stake the Griffins out to a three-goal lead they would never relinquish.

Grand Rapids improves to 2-0-0-0 with the win to pull even with Rochester in the North Division, while Cleveland fell to 0-2-0-0 in the loss. The Griffins next travel to Hamilton to face the Bulldogs in their home and season opener. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Friday at Copps Coliseum.