SLOW DOWN THE RIVER
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins surrendered three goals in a 7:22 span of the third period on Friday to watch a one-goal lead turn into their sixth straight loss, a 3-1 defeat to the Peoria Rivermen at Van Andel Arena.
Despite the loss, the Griffins (6-8-2-1) still manage to maintain a share of second place in the North Division, heading into Saturday’s road contest against the archrival Chicago Wolves, owners of the AHL’s most prolific offense. Game time at Allstate Arena is 8 p.m.
Krys Kolanos put the Griffins on top 13:48 into the game, carrying the puck down the right side, breaking in on Marek Schwarz and beating him five-hole from the bottom of the circle. It marked the first time in five games that Grand Rapids notched the first goal.
Despite being out-shot 12-4 in the second period, the Griffins kept the lead until a Rivermen power play early in the third, when David Backes collected a juicy rebound in the slot and popped it past Jimmy Howard at the 2:15 mark. Just over four minutes later, Charles Linglet walked in unchallenged from the right circle and buried a shot low to Howard’s stick side at 6:31.
Matters continued to deteriorate for the Griffins on an unlucky bounce at 9:37. Peter Sejna’s shot from the left side hit Kyle Quincey in the slot and dropped behind Howard, and Konstantin Zakharov quickly pounced on the wayward rubber to give Peoria (7-6-1-1) a 3-1 lead.
Despite the loss, the Griffins (6-8-2-1) still manage to maintain a share of second place in the North Division, heading into Saturday’s road contest against the archrival Chicago Wolves, owners of the AHL’s most prolific offense. Game time at Allstate Arena is 8 p.m.
Krys Kolanos put the Griffins on top 13:48 into the game, carrying the puck down the right side, breaking in on Marek Schwarz and beating him five-hole from the bottom of the circle. It marked the first time in five games that Grand Rapids notched the first goal.
Despite being out-shot 12-4 in the second period, the Griffins kept the lead until a Rivermen power play early in the third, when David Backes collected a juicy rebound in the slot and popped it past Jimmy Howard at the 2:15 mark. Just over four minutes later, Charles Linglet walked in unchallenged from the right circle and buried a shot low to Howard’s stick side at 6:31.
Matters continued to deteriorate for the Griffins on an unlucky bounce at 9:37. Peter Sejna’s shot from the left side hit Kyle Quincey in the slot and dropped behind Howard, and Konstantin Zakharov quickly pounced on the wayward rubber to give Peoria (7-6-1-1) a 3-1 lead.