SCHAEFER FIRES ANOTHER BLANK AT GRIFFINS
CLEVELAND Two goals by Patrick Rissmiller and 33 saves by Nolan Schaefer were enough for the Cleveland Barons (16-18-1-2) to shutout the Grand Rapids Griffins (18-15-1-1) by a 2-0 score on Saturday night at Gund Arena.
The loss extends the Griffins losing streak to a franchise-record nine games (0-8-0-1). The Griffins have managed 11 goals during the nine-game slide.
Schaefer blanked the Griffins with a 28-save performance on Dec. 18, the last time he faced them.
After a scoreless first period during which the Griffins outshot the Barons 11-5, Rissmiller tallied his first goal at 6:08 of the second frame. Rissmiller gathered the rebound of Ryane Clowes shot and popped it past Drew MacIntyre. The Griffins have yielded the first goal in eight of the nine games of their winless streak.
Skating with a four-on-three advantage late in the second period, the Barons worked the puck around the Griffins zone. Garrett Stafford found Rissmiller with a pass in the slot. Rissmillers shot found the twine with 24 seconds remaining in the second period.
Trying desperately to break the shutout, Grand Rapids peppered Clevelands cage with 15 shots in the final frame. One attempt did squeeze past Schaefer, but it somehow stopped on the goal line before the netminder covered it.
MacIntyre made 24 saves while filling in for an injured Joey MacDonald.
The Griffins and Barons will play on Sunday evening at 5 at Gund Arena.
The loss extends the Griffins losing streak to a franchise-record nine games (0-8-0-1). The Griffins have managed 11 goals during the nine-game slide.
Schaefer blanked the Griffins with a 28-save performance on Dec. 18, the last time he faced them.
After a scoreless first period during which the Griffins outshot the Barons 11-5, Rissmiller tallied his first goal at 6:08 of the second frame. Rissmiller gathered the rebound of Ryane Clowes shot and popped it past Drew MacIntyre. The Griffins have yielded the first goal in eight of the nine games of their winless streak.
Skating with a four-on-three advantage late in the second period, the Barons worked the puck around the Griffins zone. Garrett Stafford found Rissmiller with a pass in the slot. Rissmillers shot found the twine with 24 seconds remaining in the second period.
Trying desperately to break the shutout, Grand Rapids peppered Clevelands cage with 15 shots in the final frame. One attempt did squeeze past Schaefer, but it somehow stopped on the goal line before the netminder covered it.
MacIntyre made 24 saves while filling in for an injured Joey MacDonald.
The Griffins and Barons will play on Sunday evening at 5 at Gund Arena.