THIRD TIME'S A CHARM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – After losing the previous two during their three-game road trip, including a 3-2 overtime loss at Rochester last Wednesday, the Grand Rapids Griffins concluded the stretch on a high-note by beating the Americans 3-1 Sunday night at the Blue Cross Arena. The Griffins snap a three-game losing streak with the victory.

Grand Rapids will return home Tuesday night to host the Peoria Rivermen at 7 p.m. for the make-up game of the February 3rd postponement.

Derek Meech continued his hot streak and notched his 10th point in 11 games with the first goal on the contest at 5:43 of the opening frame. Adam Keefe tallied his first point as a Griffin, assisting Meech on the rebound that found the upper right corner after deflecting off goaltender Adam Berkhoel.

The bounces refused to go in favor of Grand Rapids during the second period as Berkhoel stood on his head in the Rochester crease with luck on his side. The Americans then tied the game at 11:07 when David Brine sent a backhander past Stefan Liv during the man advantage.

The Griffins managed to regain lead before the end of period, taking a 2-1 edge into the final 20 minutes. Evan McGrath gathered a rebound from Ben Simon’s failed wrap-around attempt and tucked it inside the left goal post at 18:15.

Jonas Johansson scored his first goal in a Griffins uniform to give his team a two-goal lead at 7:05 of the third during the power play when he ripped a shot from the top of the left circle, after receiving the puck from Jonathan Ericsson.

After a busy 36-save night for Berkhoel, the Americans pulled him from duty in the closing minute but could not convert as Liv stood strong and finished the night with 22 stops.